Noting that the rapidly increasing number of migrants worldwide has made issues such as social integration, economic contribution, and human rights more critical than ever, Sociologist Prof. Ebulfez Süleymanlı stated: “Concepts such as brain drain, climate migration, and female migration are among the most important migration dynamics of the future.”
Emphasizing that the feminization of migration is one of the most striking topics in contemporary migration studies, Prof. Süleymanlı added: “As of 2023, women migrants accounted for 48 percent of the global migrant population. This figure is expected to approach 50 percent by 2025.”
Prof. Ebulfez Süleymanlı, Faculty Member of the Department of Sociology at Üsküdar University and Director of the Center for Human Rights Studies (İHAMER), evaluated new global migration trends on the occasion of December 18 International Migrants Day.
The number of migrant workers exceeds 165 million
Referring to data from the International Organization for Migration, Prof. Süleymanlı stated that there are 281 million international migrants worldwide, noting: “This number continues to rise every year, showing that migration has become a global and structural phenomenon. By 2025, nearly 4 percent of the world’s population is expected to consist of migrants. The number of migrant workers exceeds 165 million.”
Migration is no longer driven only by economic reasons
Highlighting Türkiye’s critical role as a destination, source, and transit country within this global process, Prof. Süleymanlı said: “Migration has become far too complex to be explained solely by economic factors. Armed conflicts, civil wars, ethnic and sectarian tensions, regional instability, and forced displacement are now among the primary drivers of refugee movements. Conflicts in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia are forcing millions to migrate simply to survive, pushing refugee numbers to historic highs. Despite increasingly security-oriented and border-focused migration policies in the US and Europe, demographic realities and labor market 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 displacement, deeply affecting migrants’ lives.”
Brain drain directly affects countries’ futures
Addressing the issue of brain drain, Prof. Süleymanlı stated: “Brain drain has become an increasingly decisive phenomenon within global migration movements. Young people are moving abroad mainly in search of education, career opportunities, and a higher quality of life. Countries such as the US, Canada, and Australia offer special programs and incentives to attract skilled labor, while developing countries face the risk of losing young and educated populations. Aging populations and declining fertility rates in Europe and North America increase the structural need for skilled migrants, despite security-focused rhetoric. Brain drain is no longer just an individual choice; it has become a strategic issue directly affecting countries’ long-term development capacity. In this context, Türkiye is both a country that sends young talent abroad and one that receives migrants from countries with shared ethnic, cultural, and religious ties. Providing qualified employment, academic freedom, and entrepreneurship opportunities in Türkiye could help balance brain drain.”
The feminization of migration and the growing role of women migrants
Pointing out that the feminization of migration is one of the most prominent topics in contemporary migration studies, Prof. Süleymanlı continued: “As of 2023, women migrants make up 48 percent of the global migrant population, a figure expected to approach 50 percent by 2025. Women migrants are predominantly employed in care, service, and domestic labor sectors, while educated women play significant roles in health and education. Labor shortages in care and health sectors, particularly in European countries, have made women migrant labor increasingly visible. Türkiye directly experiences this process through the rising number of women refugees, especially from conflict zones such as Syria. Women fleeing war and violence migrate not only for economic reasons but also in search of physical and psychological security. This situation further increases the importance of protecting, empowering, and integrating women migrants into social life.”
The climate crisis makes forced migration inevitable
Emphasizing that climate change has become one of the strongest drivers of migration today, Prof. Süleymanlı stated: “Droughts, floods, and extreme weather events are forcing millions to leave their places of residence. According to the United Nations, climate-related displacement could reach 100 million people by 2025. When combined with conflict, the climate crisis makes migration inevitable and accelerates refugee movements in fragile regions. Due to its geographical location, Türkiye is among the countries feeling this pressure most intensely.”
Digitalization places migrants between two lives
Stating that digital technologies have fundamentally transformed the nature of migration, Prof. Süleymanlı said: “Thanks to the internet and social media, migrants can now maintain lives across multiple countries, exchanging information about both their countries of origin and destination. This ‘dual life’ can reduce interaction with local communities and even trap migrants in social bubbles. While digital platforms speed up job search processes, they can also hinder integration into local culture. Although digital technologies facilitate access to education and labor markets, they may also lead to social isolation. Migrants’ preference for engaging primarily with their own communities online rather than with local populations complicates social integration. At the same time, digital tools make language learning and job searching more efficient, helping migrants adapt more quickly.”
Migration should be viewed as social transformation, not a crisis
Underlining that Türkiye has historically been at the crossroads of migration routes, Prof. Süleymanlı stated: “Regional conflicts and security crises, especially the Syrian war, have made Türkiye the country hosting the largest number of refugees worldwide. Türkiye’s migration policies are shaped around voluntary return, secure integration, and a human rights-based approach. Migrants are no longer just a group in need of protection; with the right policies, they can become actors contributing socially and economically. It is crucial for Türkiye to address migration not through crisis management, but through a perspective of social transformation and coexistence.”
Global migration has entered a new era
Concluding his remarks, Prof. Süleymanlı said: “Brain drain, climate migration, and female migration are among the most important migration dynamics of the future. More humane and efficient integration of migrants will create significant opportunities for both migrants and host countries. Migration is no longer merely an economic movement; it is directly linked to human rights, social cohesion, and societal development. As both a receiving and sending country, Türkiye should approach migration not as a crisis but as a process of social transformation, managed through long-term strategies.”