As the world celebrates International Migrants Day, the International Organization for Migration strongly reaffirms that human mobility is not an episodic emergency, but a structural element of global history and development. Celebrated annually on December 18, the day recognizes the fundamental contribution migrants make to their societies of origin and destination and emphasizes the urgent need to ensure the rights, dignity, and protection of people on the move. The chosen theme for 2025, "My Great Story: Cultures and Development," focuses on the human, cultural, and economic value of migration, emphasizing how every migratory journey is part of a collective story of shared progress.

In the words of the IOM: stories of courage beyond borders

"Migration is intertwined with the lives of families and communities everywhere," said Amy Pope, Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM). "It's a story of courage, determination, and the bonds that unite us across borders." This message calls for fair and inclusive migration systems, capable of protecting individuals while also supporting host communities. According to the IOM, when migration is managed with dignity and strategic vision, the benefits ripple throughout society, strengthening cohesion, development, and stability.

Global numbers constantly growing

Today, an estimated 304 million people live outside their country of birth, equivalent to nearly 4% of the world's population. This figure is constantly increasing, linked to a variety of reasons: work, education, family reunification, but also fleeing conflict, persecution, economic crises, and climate change.

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According to the UNHCR Global Trends report, 122,1 million people were forced to flee their homes at the end of April 2025, an increase that confirms a decade of uninterrupted growth. The main factors remain major conflicts, such as those in Sudan, Myanmar, and Ukraine, and the inability of international policy to halt hostilities and build lasting solutions.

The contribution of migrants between work and cultural enrichment 

Migrants represent an essential resource for the economies of destination countries. They contribute to key sectors such as healthcare, construction, agriculture, assistance, and technology, often filling structural gaps associated with aging populations. Their impact also extends to their countries of origin: in 2024, international remittances reached approximately $905 billion, mostly directed to middle- and low-income countries.

Beyond the economic aspect, migration has a profound social and cultural impact. Migrants foster the exchange of ideas, traditions, and skills, stimulate innovation, and contribute to the construction of entrepreneurial and social networks. This ongoing exchange strengthens the fabric of host societies and maintains ties with their countries of origin, creating a cultural bridge that transcends borders.

The dangerous routes and the human cost of irregular migration

Alongside these benefits, however, serious challenges persist. Although most migration occurs regularly, many people are forced to take irregular routes due to the lack of safe channels. The Central Mediterranean remains one of the deadliest routes in the world: over 33.000 deaths have been recorded since 2014. Sea and desert crossings expose migrants to extreme risks, exploitation, violence, and limited access to protection and assistance.

Migrant minors: an emergency within an emergency

The situation of minors is particularly dire. According to UNICEF, 63.900 people arrived in Italy from the beginning of 2025 to mid-December, 11.700 of whom were under the age of 18. As of November 30, 2025, over 143.000 migrants and refugees were registered in the Italian reception system, with more than 18.000 unaccompanied foreign minors registered. Drowning remains the leading cause of death for minors along migration routes, and the Central Mediterranean remains the deadliest route for the youngest.

The report "Traversing Danger" documents systematic violations of children's rights along the main routes to the European Union. Extortion, arbitrary detention, and physical and sexual violence mark every stage of the journey, from fleeing their countries of origin to being pushed back at European borders. These experiences leave profound effects on mental health, with an increase in post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and social isolation among children and adolescents.

International organizations and civil society are calling on the European Union and its Member States to end policies that prioritize border control over the protection of minors. Priorities include banning the detention of children, ensuring safe and regular routes, ensuring dignified reception, and ensuring individual assessments that respect the child's best interests, especially in the implementation of the European Pact on Migration and Asylum.

The appeal of the United Nations and the voice of the Church

On International Migrants Day, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on the international community to take collective responsibility: "Migration is a powerful engine of progress, but if mismanaged, it can fuel hatred and division." Guterres emphasized the need to dismantle dehumanizing narratives and replace them with a narrative based on solidarity and rights.

The Church also expressed its opinion on the matter a few months ago, on the occasion of the Catholic Church's World Day of Migrants and Refugees, which is celebrated on the last Sunday in September. Pope Leo XIV recalled how wars, inequality, and climate change force millions of people to leave their homelands. The Pontiff emphasized the profound connection between migration and hope, urging host communities to recognize migrants and refugees as part of a single human family, capable of building a future founded on dignity and solidarity.

Towards fairer and more sustainable migration systems

As migration continues to shape the contemporary world, the IOM 2026 Global Appeal aims to support 41 million people on the move and strengthen safe, orderly, and regular migration systems. International Migrants' Day thus becomes not only a moment of celebration, but also an opportunity for collective reflection and concrete commitment to ensuring that every migration story can unfold in the spirit of safety, rights, and human dignity.