Migration and development as policy in Asia: a nexus in flux

Asia has experienced marked economic transformation since the late 20th century. In this vast and diverse region, international migration and development have unravelled in a dramatic and contrasting fashion—with accelerating, uneven migratory movements and remarkable economic growth occurring in the last five decades. However, it seems that countries treat migration and development separately. This chapter reviews the policy framing and inclusion of international migration and development in selected countries and sub-regions in Asia. In the course of socio-economic development and demographic changes, how have origin and destination countries in Asia integrated international migration in their development policies? It was found that integrating migration and development as a policy remains a work in progress in the origin and destination countries from East, Southeast and South Asia that were studied here. The inevitable and fast-rising ageing of the population in the more developed Asian economies will also have to face this demographic reality—international migration—to sustain not just their economic growth but the well-being of their societies. However, seeing international migration as an approach to merely solve labour shortages will not be sustainable and equitable. Discussions on migration and development in these Asian countries also cannot ignore the importance of migrants’ rights.