World Migration Report 2026

According to the World Migration Report 2026, recently released by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), approximately 304 million people were living outside their country of birth as of mid-2024. While the sheer number of migrants has grown, the IOM noted that the proportion of international migrants relative to the global population has seen only an incremental rise, moving from 2.9% in 1990 to 3.7% in 2024. 

The Global Rankings

The report identifies the Mexico-to-United States corridor as the largest in the world, sustained by roughly 11 million people. Regional conflicts and economic shifts have heavily influenced the remaining top spots:

Rank	Migration Corridor	Est. Migrant Population	Primary Driver
1	Mexico to United States	11 Million	Economic / Proximity
2	Afghanistan to Iran	3.7 Million	Displacement
3	Syria to Türkiye	3.5 Million	Conflict / Refugees
4	Russia to Ukraine	Significant	Conflict / Displacement
5	India to UAE	3.5 Million+	Labor / Economic

United Arab Emirates: The 5th Largest Corridor

The India–UAE corridor has solidified its position as the fifth-largest migration route globally. The IOM highlights that the UAE is home to over 8 million international migrants, accounting for a staggering 74% of its total population.

Indian Dominance: With more than 3 million individuals, Indians remain the top nationality in the UAE, primarily comprising migrant workers contributing to the Gulf nation’s infrastructure and service sectors.

United States: A Growing PresenceIn 2024, approximately 3.2 million Indian migrants were recorded living in the U.S., making them the second-largest foreign-born group in the country, trailing only Mexicans.