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Migration data relevant for the COVID-19 pandemic

Migrants – particularly in lower paid jobs – may be both more affected by and vulnerable to the spread of COVID-19 in countries already impacted and those countries where the pandemic is spreading, but migrants also play an important role in the response to COVID-19 by working in critical sectors. As of 17 June 2020, migrants accounted for at least 8 per cent of the population in 8 of the 15 countries with the highest number of COVID-19 cases (GMDAC analysis based on UN DESA, 2019; WHO, 2020)1. This share is more than 13 per cent in 4 of these countries (ibid.). Compared to the global share of international migrants making up 3.5 per cent of the total population, international migrants are overrepresented in these countries. Increasing border restrictions also have an impact on the mobility of migrants and the role of humanitarian organizations. Between 11 March 2020, when the WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic, and 8 June 2020, the total number of movement restrictions implemented around the world has increased to more than 65,000 (IOM, 2020a). In addition, as of 4 June 2020, 40 per cent of the 3,498 points of entry assessed were fully closed and only 13 per cent were fully operational (IOM, 2020b). This page discusses data on migrants that can inform how they are potentially both affected by the impact of and part of the response to COVID-19. As information related to the COVID-19 pandemic is constantly evolving, figures and other data will be updated on a regular basis. For information by country or region, please see here and underneath the map for key indicators on migration and demography.