Human migration over thousands of years has come to be accepted as a natural phenomenon. With the emergence 300 years ago and subsequent legitimization of state sovereignty, controls over the movement and entry of persons into virtually all states have become increasingly prevalent. As the twentieth century concludes, international migratory pressures are more intense than in any previous era. What distinguishes this period from earlier ones is that the supply of willing receiving destinations for would-be migrants has fallen far behind the demand. This article sets out to examine the more significant root causes behind international migration, to identify the reasons explaining the rapid rise of migration issues on the agendas of OECD governments, to discuss the varied responses to these pressures from these same governments, and to speculate about how the global migration phenomenon will continue to evolve and what stance will be adopted by concerned governments in both sending and probable and actual receiving states.

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international migration refugee OECD