According to the report, Ukraine entered the top ten countries in the world in terms of the number of migrants - it was surpassed only by the United States, Russia, and Germany. 'Ukraine is unique - many people leave it for Russia and the CIS, as well as for Western Europe. But Ukraine is also unique because a significant number of migrants come to it. Some of them use Ukraine as a transit point on the way to the West, and some come to Ukraine because the quality of life is better and wages are higher than, say, in Central Asia,' noted World Bank economist and co-author of the report Bryce Quillin.
The main reason for migration is economic. At the same time, the World Bank predicts that in 10 years the main reason for immigration will be not economic but demographic situation. After all, Western Europe is aging, and the population is already declining in Germany and Italy. Therefore, these and other countries themselves are interested in workers from abroad.
The report released in Brussels states that migration can benefit the migrants themselves, their countries of origin, and the countries where they work. However, as experts note, this is possible only if countries better coordinate migration policies with each other. Among other things, they should facilitate legal migration if there is demand in the labor market, and protect workers' rights.
The World Bank believes there are no ready-made solutions for migration policy. However, the bank proposes to facilitate temporary migration and create incentives for migrants to return home. In other words, carry out reforms and improve living standards.
In Western Europe today, according to the report, there are about 3 million people from Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. Germany has become the main center of the influx of migrants from the former socialist bloc. Previously, such a country was Israel.