Russia tops list of countries with the largest number of Illegal migrants
Illegal migration has been a complex issue countries worldwide have battled over the years.
According to the World Economic Forum, there are an estimated 272 million international migrants globally, making up about 3.5% of the world's population. Russia, for instance, is home to the largest number of illegal immigrants, with estimates suggesting 12 million unauthorised residents
The United States and Germany also see significant numbers of illegal migrants due to their economic opportunities and geopolitical positions.
The reasons behind illegal migration vary from economic hardship and political instability to environmental factors and family reunification. For example, many migrants from Mexico enter the United States seeking better economic opportunities, driven by the proximity and the promise of the "American Dream".
Despite the measures and strategies adopted by countries to block entirely illegal migration, they have been futile for years.
As former U.S. President Barack Obama once said, "We are and always will be a nation of immigrants. We were strangers once, too." This quote resonates with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) which said "Migration is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be managed."
Below are ten countries in the world with the largest number of illegal migrants:
- Russia - 12 million
- The United States - 11.4 million
- India - 10 million
- Bangladesh - 1.2 million
- France - 1.2 million
- Germany - 1 million
- South Africa - 1 million
- The United Kingdom - 925,000
- Malaysia - 900,000
- Brazil - 700,000
