This publication constitutes the 41st report of the OECD’s Continuous Reporting System on Migration. The report is divided into four chapters plus a statistical annex.

The peak of the humanitarian refugee crisis is behind us: the unprecedented high inflows of the second-half of 2015 and early 2016 have receded over the past year. In the first six months of 2017, the total number of landings on European shores reached 72 000, slightly below the flows in 2014 and more than 12 times less than the flows in second-half 2015. Many of those who arrived in Europe from conflict countries are likely to stay for some time, at least until their home countries are safe again. It is now time to focus on how to help people settle in their new host countries and integrate into their labour markets. This demands rethinking both domestic policies and international co-operation.

Permanent migration flows in the OECD area have increased for the third year in a row, according to preliminary 2016 data. Around 5 million people migrated permanently to OECD countries in 2016, well above the previous peak level, observed in 2007 before the economic crisis.

This chapter provides an overview of recent developments in international migration movements and policies in OECD countries. After a brief review of developments in migration flows in 2016, based on preliminary and partial data, it provides a detailed analysis of the trends in permanent migration from 2007 to 2015, by country and by main category of migration – migration for work, family or humanitarian purposes, and migration within free movement areas. The next section addresses temporary migration for work purposes, especially seasonal workers, posted workers and working holidaymakers. The chapter goes on to discuss the unprecedented increase in the number of asylum seekers in OECD countries, then describes the international mobility of students, the composition of migration flows by gender and by country of origin, the evolution of the size of the foreign-born population, and the acquisition of nationality across OECD countries. The chapter closes with a section on policies concerning the main 2015-16 changes made to migration management frameworks, particularly in the European Union.

This chapter examines the development of the labour market outcomes of OECD migrants during the period 2011-16. Taking a longer view, it then considers the evolution of unemployment among migrants since the 2007/08 global economic crisis looking out how the patterns of migrant employment have adapted in the intervening period. The chapter then turns to an analysis of the potential impact of technological change, with a consideration of how the automation of routine tasks may impact on future demand for migrant workers. Finally, the chapter discusses recent changes in integration policies in OECD countries, with a focus on those that directly target the integration of asylum seekers and refugees.

This chapter presents key trends and issues in family migration to OECD countries, drawing on a wide range of data sources, and highlighting current and emerging challenges for the management of family migration. Family is the single largest category of migration. Family migration accounts for almost 40% of flows and a quarter to half of the stock of migrants, even if their share of total migration flows has declined in recent years. Family migration comprises different components, of which family formation is an increasing part. The recent evolution of policies to manage their admission is discussed, underlining how family migration is allowed everywhere but regulated, especially for non-national sponsors, and restrictions apply to non-dependent non-direct family. The chapter describes the demographic characteristics, education, language abilities and labour market integration of family migrants in comparison to other migrant categories.