Global Migrant Workforce Tops 167 Million in 2022, ILO Report Reveals Key Gender and Sectoral Trends

International migrants represented 4.7% of workers worldwide in 2022, which means that 167.7 million migrants were part of the workforce. Most of this contingent was employed in high-income countries and in key sectors such as services, particularly care provision, according to a new report by the International Labor Organization (ILO). This represents a significant increase of 30 million since 2013, although growth has slowed to under 1% annually since 2019, partly due to the pandemic's impact on migration patterns.

Of those in the labor force, 155.6 million migrants were employed, while 12.1 million were unemployed. Despite having a higher participation rate than non-migrants—65.8% compared to 60.1%—migrants faced a higher unemployment rate at 7.2%, versus 5.2% for their non-migrant counterparts.

Geographically, the report Global Estimates on International Migrant Workers revealed that 68.4% of migrant workers — around 114.7 million — were employed in high-income countries, with Northern, Southern, and Western Europe, Northern America, and the Arab States hosting the largest shares. These areas have relied on migrant labor to fill gaps in sectors like healthcare and construction, especially as they recover from the pandemic and contend with aging populations.

Over the past decade, the number of migrants in the labour force within Europe grew slightly, reaching 23.3% in 2022, while North America and the Arab States experienced small declines in their shares.

The service sector dominated employment for migrant workers, absorbing 68.4% of the workforce. While men were spread across services (60.8%) and industry (31.7%), a striking 80.7% of female migrant workers were concentrated in services, underscoring their heavy presence in care-related jobs.

Persistent Gender Gaps

Men made up 61.3% of migrant workers, with a labor force participation rate of 77.9%. Women, who accounted for 38.7%, had a participation rate of 52.8%. Female migrant workers, however, continue to face unique challenges, including an 8.7% unemployment rate, compared to 6.2% for men. Many women find themselves in roles such as care work, reflecting broader economic and social inequalities.

Factors such as language barriers, unrecognized qualifications, and limited childcare options are likely contributors to these disparities, the report noted. Gender-based expectations and discrimination further restrict opportunities for women, particularly in accessing full-time or formal employment.

Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2022, Latin America and the Caribbean accounted for 4.7% of the global migrant labor force, with 7.9 million migrants actively participating in their host economies. These workers were largely employed in the services sector (60.5%), followed by industry (31.5%) and agriculture (8%). Women made up a significant portion of this workforce, with 84.8% employed in services. The region continues to face challenges related to gender disparities, labor conditions, and access to decent work​.

The ILO report highlights the vital contributions of migrant workers to destination countries, including addressing labor shortages and supporting economic growth. At the same time, it acknowledges the challenges many face, from discrimination and language barriers to unrecognized qualifications.

Beyond benefiting host countries, migrant workers also contribute to their home nations through remittances and skills gained abroad. However, the report stresses the need for inclusive policies to tackle systemic barriers and promote decent work for all, according to the study

"Migrant workers are indispensable in addressing global labour shortages and contributing to economic growth," said ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo. "Ensuring their rights and access to decent work is not only a moral imperative but also an economic necessity."