Sociologist Prof. Dr. Ebulfez Süleymanlı stated that the rapid increase in the number of migrants worldwide has made issues such as their social integration, economic contributions, and human rights more important, saying, "Concepts like brain drain, climate migration, and women's migration are among the most significant migration dynamics of the future."
Emphasizing that the feminization of migration is one of the most striking topics in contemporary migration studies, Prof. Dr. Süleymanlı added, "As of 2023, the proportion of female migrants worldwide reached 48 percent. This rate is expected to approach 50 percent by 2025."
Prof. Dr. Ebulfez Süleymanlı, faculty member in the Department of Sociology at Üsküdar Üniversitesi and Director of the Human Rights Studies Application and Research Center (İHAMER), evaluated the new trends in global migration on the occasion of December 18 International Migrants Day.
The number of migrant workers exceeds 165 million
Prof. Dr. Ebulfez Süleymanlı stated that according to data from the International Organization for Migration, there are 281 million international migrants worldwide, adding, "This number is increasing every year, showing that migration has become a global and structural phenomenon. By 2025, approximately 4% of the world's population is expected to consist of migrants. The number of migrant workers exceeds 165 million."
Migration is not only due to economic reasons!
Prof. Dr. Ebulfez Süleymanlı noted that Turkey, as one of the important actors in this global process, is in a critical position with its role as both a recipient, sender, and transit country, stating, "Migration now has a structure too complex to be explained by economic reasons alone. Armed conflicts, civil wars, ethnic and sectarian tensions, regional instabilities, and forced displacements have become among the most fundamental causes of refugee movements today. Particularly, conflicts in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia force millions of people to migrate to survive; refugee numbers are breaking historical records. Despite this situation, although the US and European countries appear to have adopted more security-oriented and border-focused migration policies, the current demographic structure and labor force needs indicate that these countries will have to continue accepting migrants in the medium and long term. This process is shaped by new dynamics such as brain drain, the feminization of migration, the climate crisis, and forced refugee movements, and it deeply affects the lives of migrants."
Brain drain directly affects the future of countries
Prof. Dr. Süleymanlı also touched upon the issue of brain drain, saying, "Brain drain has become an increasingly decisive phenomenon in global migration movements in recent years. Young people, especially, are heading abroad in search of education, career opportunities, and quality of life. While countries like the US, Canada, and Australia offer special programs and incentives to attract skilled labor, developing countries face the risk of losing their young and educated population. The aging population and decreasing fertility rates in European and North American countries increase the structural need for skilled migrants despite security rhetoric. Brain drain is no longer just an individual choice but has become a strategic issue directly affecting the long-term development capacity of countries. In this context, Turkey is a country that both sends its young brains abroad and receives migrants from countries with ethnic, cultural, and religious ties. The ability of these young people to find qualified employment, academic freedom, and entrepreneurial opportunities in Turkey could create a balancing effect on brain drain."
Feminization of migration and the increasing role of female migrants
Prof. Dr. Süleymanlı pointed out that the feminization of migration is one of the most striking topics in contemporary migration studies, continuing:
"As of 2023, the proportion of female migrants worldwide has reached 48 percent, and by 2025, it is expected to approach 50 percent. Female migrants are mostly employed in care, service, and domestic labor sectors; educated women also take on important roles in health and education fields. Especially in European countries, the labor shortage in the care and health sectors makes the need for female migrant labor even more visible. Turkey is directly experiencing this process with the increase in female refugees coming from conflict zones, especially Syria. Women fleeing war and violence migrate not only for economic reasons but also in search of physical and psychological safety. This situation further increases the importance of protecting, empowering, and ensuring the participation of female migrants in social life."
Climate crisis also makes forced migration inevitable
Prof. Dr. Süleymanlı emphasized that climate change has also become one of the most powerful driving factors of migration today, stating, "Millions of people are forced to leave their regions due to drought, floods, and extreme weather events. According to the United Nations, climate-induced displacements could reach 100 million by 2025. The climate crisis, especially when combined with conflicts, makes migration inevitable and further accelerates refugee movements in vulnerable regions. Turkey, due to its geographical location, is one of the countries that feels this pressure most intensely."
Digitalization leaves migrants between two lives
Prof. Dr. Süleymanlı stated that digital technologies have fundamentally changed the nature of migration, saying, "Thanks to the internet and social media, migrants can now establish lives between multiple countries, exchanging information about both their countries of origin and destination. This 'double life' can lead to them having less interaction with local societies and even being trapped in social bubbles. While digital platforms can accelerate migrants' job search processes, they can also make their integration into local culture more difficult. The conveniences provided by digital technology for migrants' access to education and labor markets can also lead to their social isolation. Migrants turning to their own communities on online platforms instead of interacting with local people makes social integration more challenging. However, thanks to digital tools, language learning and job search processes become more efficient, helping migrants adapt more quickly."
Migration should be addressed as social transformation, not a crisis
Prof. Dr. Süleymanlı emphasized that Turkey has historically been a country where migration routes intersect, saying, "Regional conflicts and security crises, especially the Syrian war, have made Turkey the country hosting the largest number of refugees in the world. Turkey's migration policies are shaped within the framework of voluntary return, safe integration, and human rights-based approaches. Migrants are no longer just a group to be protected but actors who can make social and economic contributions with the right policies. It is of great importance that Turkey addresses this process from a perspective of social transformation and co-existence rather than crisis management."
Global migration has entered a new era
Prof. Dr. Ebulfez Süleymanlı concluded by stating that the rapid increase in the number of migrants worldwide has made issues such as their social integration, economic contributions, and human rights more important:
"Concepts such as brain drain, climate migration, and women's migration are among the most important migration dynamics of the future. A more humane and efficient integration of migrants will create significant opportunities for both migrants and host countries. Migration is no longer just an economic mobility but an issue directly connected with human rights, social harmony, and social development. In this process, Turkey, as both a recipient and sender country, should address migration not merely as a crisis issue but as a process of social transformation, managing it with long-term strategies."