Migration from Underdeveloped and Developing Countries to Developed Nations: An Inevitable Reality That Requires Responsible Immigration Policies

 

 Migration from Underdeveloped and Developing Countries to Developed Nations: An Inevitable Reality That Requires Responsible Immigration Policies

By Olatunji Olayiwola 

Migration has become one of the defining issues of the twenty-first century. Across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and parts of the Middle East, millions of people leave their countries every year in search of better jobs, education, political stability, personal security, and a higher quality of life. While migration has always existed throughout human history, today’s global inequalities, improved transportation, digital connectivity, and persistent conflicts have accelerated the movement of people across borders.

According to the United Nations, there were approximately 304 million international migrants in 2024, representing about 3.7% of the world’s population. Of these, around 52 million were refugees, asylum seekers, or people in need of international protection, while the majority migrated for employment, education, or family reunification. 

These figures illustrate an important reality: migration is neither temporary nor exceptional. It has become a permanent feature of our interconnected world.

Migration Is Driven by Necessity More Than Choice

Most people do not abandon their homes simply because they desire a different lifestyle. They migrate because opportunities are limited or absent.

The strongest drivers include:

Persistent poverty
High unemployment
Political instability
Armed conflict
Corruption
Poor healthcare and education
Climate-related disasters
Human rights abuses

History repeatedly demonstrates this pattern.

During the nineteenth century, millions of Europeans migrated to North America to escape poverty and famine. After the Second World War, displaced Europeans rebuilt their lives in countries such as Canada, Australia, and the United States. More recently, conflicts in Syria, Afghanistan, Sudan, Ukraine, and Venezuela have forced millions to seek refuge abroad. 

Migration therefore should not be viewed simply as people “wanting to move,” but as people responding to unequal opportunities and, in many cases, threats to their safety.

The Benefits Migration Brings

The public debate often focuses on the costs of migration while overlooking its substantial contributions.

Many developed countries face ageing populations and declining birth rates. Businesses increasingly depend on migrants to fill shortages in healthcare, agriculture, engineering, information technology, manufacturing, transportation, and hospitality.

Immigrants also:

Pay taxes
Start businesses
Create employment
Introduce new skills
Increase innovation
Support pension systems through their participation in the workforce

Countries such as Canada and Australia have intentionally used immigration to support economic growth through skills-based immigration programmes.

Even temporary migrant workers have played an essential role in building the economies of Gulf states such as the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Kuwait.

Ignoring these contributions would present an incomplete picture of migration.

The Challenges Cannot Be Ignored

Acknowledging migration’s benefits does not mean ignoring its challenges.

When immigration occurs faster than governments can plan for it, several problems may emerge:

Housing shortages
Increased pressure on healthcare systems
Overcrowded schools
Rising infrastructure costs
Competition for some low-skilled jobs
Social integration difficulties
Illegal migration
Identity fraud
Border security concerns

These issues are legitimate public policy concerns rather than evidence of hostility toward migrants.

Governments have a responsibility both to protect vulnerable migrants and to maintain public confidence that immigration is orderly, lawful, and sustainable.

Reforming Rather Than Abolishing Asylum

One of the most controversial areas of immigration policy is asylum.

The 1951 Refugee Convention was created after the Second World War to ensure that people fleeing persecution would not be returned to danger.

It remains one of the foundations of international humanitarian law and has protected millions of lives. 

However, many governments argue that modern asylum systems are under increasing strain because some applicants use asylum procedures primarily as a route for economic migration rather than protection from persecution.

In my opinion, the answer is not to abolish asylum altogether.

Instead, asylum systems should be:

processed much more quickly;
subject to rigorous identity and security checks;
limited to applicants who genuinely meet international refugee criteria; and
regularly reviewed if the conditions that justified protection change.

Protection should remain available for those who genuinely need it, while governments should also reduce opportunities for abuse.

A More Accountable Immigration System

One proposal deserving serious consideration is expanding sponsored visa programmes.

Countries such as the United Arab Emirates and Qatar operate systems in which foreign workers enter through registered employers.

Although these models have received criticism for labour-rights concerns, the principle of accountability has merit.

A modern democratic version could require:

every migrant to have a registered sponsor or employer;
governments to maintain accurate immigration records;
sponsors to meet legal obligations regarding workers’ welfare; and
strong labour protections to prevent exploitation.

Such a system could reduce illegal immigration while improving transparency and compliance.

Citizenship Should Reflect Commitment

Another difficult issue concerns citizenship.

Many democracies allow permanent residents eventually to become citizens after years of legal residence, tax contributions, and integration.

Others believe citizenship should represent an exceptional commitment between an individual and the nation.

I believe citizenship should not be automatic simply because someone has lived in a country for several years. Instead, it should require demonstrated commitment through lawful conduct, economic contribution, language proficiency where appropriate, respect for constitutional values, and meaningful integration into society.

Similarly, countries should openly debate whether unrestricted dual citizenship best serves their national interests. While dual citizenship offers advantages for international business, investment, and family connections, some argue that citizenship should reflect a single primary national allegiance. Each country should determine its own balance between openness and civic responsibility.

The Responsibility of Developing Countries

Developed countries cannot solve migration alone.

Governments in developing countries must address the conditions that encourage citizens to leave.

These include:

reducing corruption;
strengthening democratic institutions;
improving education and healthcare;
creating employment opportunities;
attracting investment; and
ensuring public security.

When people believe they can build successful futures at home, the pressure to migrate naturally declines.

International development partnerships, fair trade, foreign investment, and support for good governance may ultimately reduce migration more effectively than border enforcement alone.

Conclusion

Migration is one of humanity’s oldest responses to inequality and insecurity. It cannot be eliminated, nor should it be viewed solely as a problem. At the same time, no country has an unlimited capacity to absorb newcomers without careful planning.

A successful immigration policy must balance compassion with responsibility.

It should protect genuine refugees, encourage legal migration, meet labour market needs, strengthen border security, maintain public confidence, and preserve the value of citizenship.

The real debate is not whether migration should exist—it always will. The real question is how governments can manage it in ways that respect human dignity while protecting the long-term interests of both migrants and the societies that receive them.