Contrary to fears that immigrants steal jobs and threaten security, a report released on Wednesday said newcomers boost developing economies and could be far more of an asset than a drain.
"Most developing countries can benefit from immigrants," said the joint report by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development and the International Labour Organization. The four-year study focused on immigrants' contributions to the labour market, economic growth and public finance in 10 developing and middle-income countries. The countries studied were Argentina, Costa Rica, Ivory Coast, Dominican Republic, Ghana, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Rwanda, South Africa and Thailand.
Developing countries, which host more than a third of the world's international migrants, are missing an opportunity by excluding immigration from their development plans, the report said.
Immigrants' estimated contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) averaged out at 7 percent - ranging from about 1 percent in Ghana to 19 percent in Ivory Coast.
"Local populations often believe that immigrants take the jobs of native-born workers, contribute to lowering wages, take advantage of public services, do not pay enough taxes, and threaten social cohesion and security," the study said. "However, the perception that immigrants cost more than they yield ... rarely relies on empirical evidence." Immigrants not only contribute as workers but as consumers and taxpayers, the report said. Even those saving their earnings to send home contribute indirectly, via the bank system, to investment in their host countries. As entrepreneurs and investors, immigrants also create jobs and promote innovation and technological change.
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