Connecting with Emigrants: A Global Profile of Diasporas

The potential of a diaspora as a source of economic and social development in its origin country depends on characteristics such as size, composition, skill level, and degree of concentration. Its development effectiveness also depends on the degree of integration into the destination countries and the economic, political, and social environment in the origin country. Governments of origin and destination countries can facilitate the involvement of diasporas by supporting networks, facilitating communication channels between the countries, and by creating an enabling environment, or —more directly —by improving skill mobility and increasing its use. In this regard, the capacity to characterize the profile of diasporas is instrumental.

This publication includes 140 country notes summarizing diaspora sizes, including the number of children of migrants born in the destination countries, the characteristics of emigrant populations (gender, age, education, labor market outcomes), the numbers and main destinations of international students, recent migrant flows to OECD countries, and information on the desire of different population groups to emigrate.