IOM. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) Regional Data Hub for Asia and the Pacific has released the Asia–Pacific Migration Data Report 2025, which offers comprehensive and timely insights into regional migration trends.
- Asia and the Pacific remains the leading region of origin for international migrants.
- Conflict-induced displacement reached record highs in 2024, while the region continued to record the world’s highest share of disaster-induced internal displacements.
- 2024 was the deadliest year on record for migrants from the region.
Bangkok, Thailand – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) today released the Asia–Pacific Migration Data Report 2025 which provides a comprehensive, data-driven overview of migration trends, corridors and drivers in the region, covering labour mobility, mixed migration routes, conflict- and disaster-induced displacement, and the developmental impacts of migration.
“This report is more than a compilation of data – it is a call to action,” shares Iori Kato, IOM Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific. “It challenges us to look beyond numbers and translate evidence into humane, inclusive and forward-looking migration solutions that benefit all.”
As per the report, Asia and the Pacific remains the leading region of origin for international migrants, accounting for about one in three migrants worldwide. As of 2024, the number of international migrants from Asia and the Pacific reached 90.6 million, up from 81.7 million in 2020.
India, China, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and the Philippines rank among the top ten countries of origin globally, reflecting the region’s continued prominence in shaping global human mobility. The stock of international migrant workers in Asia and the Pacific reached 27.2 million, representing 16 per cent of the global total, with women comprising 41 per cent of the regional migrant workforce. This trend highlights the region’s growing economic opportunities and also draws attention to the urgent need to promote fair employment and gender equality for migrant workers.
Conflict-induced displacement reached record levels in 2024, with 18.11 million people displaced across the region, nearly double the number from a decade ago. At the same time, Asia and the Pacific remains the world’s most disaster-prone region, accounting for 52 per cent of all global disaster-induced displacements. In 2024 alone, the region recorded 23.97 million new displacements linked to disasters, an 88 per cent increase from 2023.
“These figures show how intertwined conflict, climate and mobility have become,” adds Iori. “A coordinated regional response is essential to building resilience and protecting people on the move.”
The report also identifies rising protection challenges. 2024 was the deadliest year on record for migrants from Asia and the Pacific, with 2,745 deaths and disappearances reported globally – a 33 per cent increase from 2023.
Trafficking in persons for forced criminality remains a serious concern, accounting for nearly half of all IOM-assisted trafficking victims across seven Southeast Asian countries. Myanmar (62 per cent) and Cambodia (35 per cent) remained key sites of exploitation, while 81 per cent of victims originated within the region — mostly from South Asia (45 per cent) and Southeast Asia (33 per cent).
“Quality and reliable data is the cornerstone of effective migration governance,” shares Olga Aymerich, IOM Regional Data Hub Coordinator for Asia and the Pacific. “By turning evidence into practical solutions, we can protect people, save lives and shape policies that make migration safer, more humane and better managed across the region.”
The Asia–Pacific Migration Data Report 2025 calls for strengthened migration data systems, regional coordination and inclusive policy frameworks to address the interconnected challenges of mobility, climate change and protection. It serves as a regional reference for governments, policymakers and practitioners working to advance safe, orderly and regular migration through evidence-based action.
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