In these contemporary times, we find ourselves within a period of extensive global translocation. Scores of individuals from less affluent parts of the world traverse vast terrain – may it be oceans, woodlands, valleys or rivers – in the pursuit of safety, employment opportunities and an anticipated superior future. Approximately 281 million individuals have taken up residence beyond the borders of their birthplace which corresponds to a new zenith of 3.6% of the world’s population as highlighted by the International Organization for Migration. The cohort of people who have been displaced due to reasons like warfare or calamity has swelled to about 50 million, representing the highest ever recorded.
In the span of the past ten years, the global refugee population has seen a threefold increase, and the count of asylum applicants has multiplied over four times. When examined collectively, this indicates an unprecedented wave of human mobility. The influx of people attempting to settle in places like Europe, the United States, Britain, Canada, and Australia has instigated widespread anxiety which significantly influences political dynamics. Many residents in affluent nations are forming a consensus that immigration is exceeding manageable levels.
Issues related to migration have emerged as the principal point of contention in politics. Nations that foster an unfriendly attitude towards migrants, knowingly or unknowingly, are ironically faced with a pressing requirement for an influx of such individuals. One country after another in the economically advantaged bloc of the world contemplates a future that seems burdensome with a burgeoning population of retirees and a grossly insufficient workforce. This imbalance threatens to destabilize their societies and economies.
In the foreseeable future, numerous nations are projected to grapple with a population deficit that could destabilize existing living standards. A case in point is Hungary, which has seen negligible success in enhancing its birthrate while simultaneously maintaining a rigid stand against migrants. Consequently, the Hungarian government finds itself in the paradoxical position of inviting ‘guest workers’ in order to mitigate a persistent labor shortage.
While grappling with a faltering economy, a recent survey revealed that a staggering 57% of Hungarian youth intend to pursue employment opportunities overseas in the coming ten years. Only about 6% committed to remaining in Hungary definitively. An alarming trend is that about one-third of individuals departing the country are college-educated, and approximately 80% are under the age of 40. Predictions by demographic studies indicate that by the year 2050, the population could dwindle down to 8.5 million, reflecting the loss of about 1 million citizens.
As of now, the discourse regarding migration seems to center around certain presuppositions. It is assumed that the flow of migration is typically from the underdeveloped South to the developed North, that wealthier nations will dictate the conditions of such migration, and they will continually exercise discretion in accepting a select elite, rejecting the majority. Policies frequently echo the sentiment that the inevitable scarcity of resources warrants restrictive measures on immigration.
However, a staggering majority seems ill-equipped to handle a future where humankind may translate to the most invaluable resource, more so due to the influential yet largely overlooked factor: the self-determination of migrants. What often eludes the grasp of leaders and policymakers in prosperous nations is the rapidly growing list of countries in dire need of a population boost. Their concern amplifies as birth rates dramatically decline in unprecedented magnitude, particularly in geographies that have historically been a major source of emigration.
Choosing to migrate to a foreign land, especially when it requires traversing a substantial distance, is not an easy decision for those who lack resources or ambition. It demands an array of prerequisites, including but not limited to financial resources, official documents, and viable connections. The conscious decision to forsake the familiar in pursuit of fresh opportunities is indeed a remarkable testament to an individual’s fortitude and aspiration for self-transformation.