This review of recent research outlines changes in the composition and organization of labor supplies to the Middle East since the 1970s and indicates some effects on both sending and receiving countries. Before the recent Gulf war, Asians increasingly supplanted Arab migrant workers, entering the Gulf labor force through kinship networks, recruitment agencies and project-tied migration. At the national level, this emigration has sometimes led to severe labor shortages, as in Pakistan. Another effect is the impact of remittances on saving and investment behavior. A few detailed studies about countries of origin have provided insights into the push factors of the migration process; however, a major problem limiting research is poor survey and census data. In addition, research is lacking on the conditions of Asian migrant workers in the Middle East, the impact of emigration on demographic trends, and the important link between migration and development. © Scalabrini Migration Center. All rights reserved.

[No Keywords available]

information processing Migrant Workers cultural anthropology Research Methodology literature review Microeconomic Factors Origin economics population demography Data Sources developing country Population Dynamics Developing Countries Asia Middle East Ethnic Groups ethnic group Arab Countries financial management Cultural Background investment income economic development Manpower Needs health care manpower Health Manpower Article migration Savings international migration population and population related phenomena Demographic Factors research Emigration and Immigration remittances Economic Factors Transients and Migrants Financial Activities Population Characteristics Human Resources Macroeconomic Factors Demographic Impact Labor Force employment Destination Data Collection Culture Investments