India among top 10 migration hosts: UN

India is among the world’s 10 largest importers of migrants, with more than six million of its citizens residing abroad, even as it plays host to over 1.71 million refugees, a UN report has said. An estimated three per cent of the world’s population, or 1.75 million people, are currently residing in a country other than that of their birth, with the US proving to be the most attractive destination for migrants, playing host to over 35 million of them as of 2000, the UN population fund said in a report here.

India, with 6.27 million, Saudi Arabia with 5.25 million, and Pakistan with 4.24 million were all among the 10 largest importers of migrants, the report said, while pointing out that developing countries like, rich nations, saw immigration both as a source of wealth and and as a threat.

Most of the world’s migrants — 56 million, live in Europe, 50 million in Asia and another 41 million in North America. This shows that almost one in every 10 persons living in more developed regions is a migrant, while one in every 70 persons living in developing nations is a migrant, the report said, pointing out that the movement of people is increasing every year with the number of migrants doubling since 1975.

Between 1995 and 2000, the more developed nations gained an estimated 2.3 million migrants from the lesser developed ones, with North America absorbing 1.4 million.