The region is diverse, vast and complex. It consists of the world’s largest landmass and is home to over 4.30 billion people (nearly 60 per cent of the world’s population).

Of the world’s estimated 258 million international migrants, an estimated 40 million live in the Asia and Pacific region and 77.2 million people born in the region are outside of their countries of origin (UNDESA).

Seventeen of the world’s 31 ‘mega-cities’ are located in the region, with mobility contributing to rapid urbanization. Remittances received in the region were USD 233 billion in 2016 and USD 247 billion in 2017, according to the World Bank. Seven of the world’s top ten remittance receiving countries are in the region.  

With migration taking place not only from the global north, but also south to south, the Asia Pacific region has some of the world’s largest migration corridors. The migration drivers range from income inequality and demography to conflict and the environmental impact of climate change. Regional connectivity and regional integration is also contributing to greater mobility. Temporary, circular and irregular migration is widespread in the region, with almost half of the migrants being women. Migrants are predominantly semi and low-skilled workers in informal sectors looking for work.

There are complex mixed migration flows, including asylum seekers, stateless persons and people displaced by conflict, natural disasters or environmental change.

Given the region’s long and porous land and sea borders, there is also significant intra – and extra – regional irregular migration.  While most irregular flows occur between neighbouring countries, irregular migration routes are also known to extend much further, over land and by sea, to connect non-contiguous states.

IOM estimates that 62 per cent of people living in situations of modern slavery are in the region, working in sectors including the sex industry, agriculture, construction, fishing and hospitality. Thirty-two per cent of the trafficking victims assisted by IOM worldwide are in Asia Pacific countries (More info).

The region is also particularly prone to natural disasters and the impacts of climate change, which particularly affect islands and urban centres in coastal and low-lying areas.  Annually 80 per cent of sudden onset natural disaster-induced displacement worldwide occurs in this region. This includes displacement caused by earthquakes, typhoons, flooding and volcanic eruptions (IDMC).

IOM works to support migrants, host communities and governments, while collaborating with regional and multilateral partners, key UN counterparts, civil society, the private sector, and academic and research institutions.  

Given the vast nature of the Asia and the Pacific region and its mobility landscape, the Regional Strategy consists of multiple sub-regional strategies, covering the Pacific, Southeast Asia, East Asia, South Asia and Southwest Asia and cross-cutting Thematic Priorities between the five sub-regions.