South Korea recently reached an all time high in foreign population of 2.73 million, according to the Korea Immigration Service. That is now around four percent of the once very homogeneous nation’s population. Although it is still small compared to other nations and their immigration rates, this rise reflects a broader global trend of increasing immigration all over the globe.
Globally, immigration is at record highs. Europe, too, has seen a dramatic increase as Syrians and Afghans seek refuge and Ukrainians are displaced. In the United Kingdom, research in 2022 showed that about 16 percent of people in the UK were born abroad, which is around 10.7 million people. Germany also saw an increase as it recorded around 17.4 million foreign-born residents, about 20 percent of its population.
What is the cause of increasing migration? There are several key forces that cause people to migrate. Conflict and war are the most primary ones. The wars in Ukraine, Afghanistan, and Syria, and social violence have pushed people out of their homes and caused them to find a new home. Economic conditions are also one of the key forces that cause people to migrate. A weak economy that results in a lack of opportunity and financial security has pushed people towards wealthier places with stable economies where they would have an opportunity. Climate change is also one of the driving factors as droughts and floods have caused certain communities and lands to be uninhabitable.
The effects of rising immigration are complex. Countries may face housing shortages, cultural damage, and increased competition for jobs. The rise of anti-immigrant movements is the culmination of these worries. On a positive note, however, immigrants help fill labor shortages and offer cultural diversity. For instance in the United States, the immigrant population takes up a huge portion of the blue collar jobs, allowing the society to function.
In conclusion, South Korea’s new record of 2.73 million foreign residents is reflective of a bigger global trend. Migration is a natural part of globalization and a present matter. The main question now is how societies will adapt: inclusion or exclusion.
Works Cited
https://migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/briefings/migrants-in-the-uk-an-overview/?utm_source
http://kostat.go.kr/menu.es?mid=a20108050000
By. Daniel Song