Find out more about the top ten largest global migration routes taken by millions of individuals each year
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281 million. As of 2020, that’s the number of migrants – equivalent to one in thirty people on the planet – residing in nations around the world.
In the last five decades, this figure has increased exponentially. Back in 1990, it stood at 153 million, and in 1970 it was three times smaller compared to today. Throughout this time, migrants have continued to relocate from their origin country to their country of destination in a pathway coined as a migration corridor.
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Here we present the top ten largest migration corridors, in reverse order, using data from the UN’s 2024 World Migration Report.
These figures are calculated by measuring the number of people born in one nation, residing in the country of destination in 2020. As such, individuals listed below could have migrated to particular countries in recent years, or even as far back as decades ago. Additionally, although many migrants move out of choice, a large proportion – approximately 43.7 million individuals – are refugees.
So, which countries are migrants leaving – and why? And where exactly are these individuals heading to?
10) Bangladesh to India – 2.5 million people
One of the world’s largest migration routes is between Bangladesh and India. In total, Bangladesh is the origin of the sixth-largest migrant population on the planet.
A major factor driving Bangladeshis to relocate is environmental degradation and climate change within the country. From melting glaciers in the Himalayas to rising sea levels, which could lead to the nation losing more than one-seventh of its land area by 2050, Bangladesh faces a potentially devastating future due to climate impacts.
9) India to Saudi Arabia – 2.5 million people
One factor impacting Indian immigrants’ decisions to move to Saudi Arabia is the economic opportunities that Saudi Arabia offers. In particular, the Kafala Sponsorship System within the nation – a temporary guest worker programme allowing companies to hire migrant workers – has lured individuals to the nation. However, the programme has come under scrutiny for human rights abuses.
Although some reforms have been implemented, such as the introduction of wage protection measures, many organisations continue to assert that abuses persist under the system.
8) Kazakhstan to Russia – 2.6 million people
At number eight is the migration corridor between Kazakhstan and Russia, with a total of 2.6 million Kazakhstani individuals residing in the country.
A major reason for such migration can be attributed to the Soviet Union’s dissolution, resulting in many ethnic Russians remaining in Kazakhstan. Over the years, policies created in Kazakhstan to promote their language and culture have led to some Russians feeling alienated, consequently leading to migration to Russia, where individuals may feel better assimilated.
Additionally, the larger Russian economy offers a further incentive to migrate, particularly for Kazakhstani graduates seeking employment. Additionally, many Kazakhstani students leave their home country to pursue more educational opportunities, such as a greater variety of university choices.
7) Afghanistan to Iran – 2.8 million people
As of 2024, Iran was the world’s largest host of refugees, standing at 3.8 million people. Of these individuals, 99 per cent were from Afghanistan, forced to flee their home country due to decades of long-standing war and the return of the Taliban back in 2021.
However, Afghans migrating to Iran have continued to face adversity, particularly since the mid-1990s due to the advent of stricter policies within the nation. Only one-fifth of individuals considered to be in refugee-like situations have become formally registered refugees, and an estimated 500,000 Afghans lack any legal status in the country.
Additionally, between March 2024 and March 2025, Iran deported more than 1.2 million Afghans from the nation – including women, children and entire families – citing concerns over security and economic pressures.
6) India to US – 2.8 million people
The US is the second most popular destination for Indian migrants around the world, after the United Arab Emirates. Within the US, Indians are the second-largest foreign-born group after Mexicans, and account for six per cent of its 47.8 million-strong foreign-born residents.
On average, Indian immigrants earn more than their American and foreign-born counterparts – with a median income of more than double – and their chances of living in poverty is half that of both groups.
Reasons for migration include better educational and employment opportunities, along with a more secure economy. As well as this, some Indian migrants may have left their home country to escape political and religious tensions. According to a report by Migration Policy Institute, approximately 18,300 Indian migrants crossed the US border between October 2021 and September 2022 – a large uptick from just 2,600 one year earlier.
5) Russia to Ukraine – 3.4 million people
The movement of Russian migrants to Ukraine can be attributed to several factors. During the Soviet Union, Russians were encouraged to move to Ukraine in order to support industrialisation. However, in recent times – since the early 2000s – the political freedom of Ukraine has been an appealing incentive for those working in media, as well as opposition figures residing in Russia.
In 2022, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine also led to many migrants leaving the country. However, many of these individuals relocated to countries such as Türkiye, Georgia or Armenia.
4) India to United Arab Emirates – 3.5 million people
A plethora of reasons combine to encourage Indian migrants to move to the United Arab Emirates. One major factor is the nation’s strong economy – particularly in sectors such as construction, hospitality and services – and the resulting employment opportunities that such an economy boasts.
The UAE relies heavily on foreign labour to support its economic growth. Back in 2013, immigrants comprised more than 90 per cent of the country’s private workforce, many of whom originated in India.
Additionally, the UAE has encouraged migrants to move to the nation through a ‘Golden Visa’ programme – a long-term residency visa that means foreign nationals can live, work, or study there without the need for a sponsor.
3) Ukraine to Russia – 3.7 million people
Around 3.7 million Ukrainian individuals reside in Russia. A large influx of Ukrainians entered the country during the Soviet Union era, having moved for either work, education or military service.
Recently – following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 – reports have suggested Ukrainians have been forcibly relocated to Russia through ‘filtration camps’, facilities allegedly used to detain, interrogate and process Ukrainians before they are allowed to enter the nation.
2) Syria to Türkiye – 3.8 million people
Since 2011, the combination of ongoing conflicts and the humanitarian crisis within Syria has forced many Syrian individuals to flee to more than 130 countries around the world. Around 5 million Syrian refugees reside in nearby countries including Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Egypt. However, the largest proportion of Syrian refugees live in Türkiye.
Initially, the Turkish government set up refugee camps to host those escaping conflict, but across the years those who have migrated have begun to settle in cities bordering Syria. However, Syrians within Türkiye still face hardships: 90 per cent are unable to cover monthly expenses or their basic needs.
1) Mexico to US – 11 million people
At number one is the migration corridor between Mexico and the US. The US holds the largest population of Mexican migrants in the world, accounting for approximately 23 per cent of its foreign-born population.
For some experts, one reason to explain the vast number of Mexican individuals migrating to the US is the recent presidential switch from Trump to Biden back in 2021. Discussions of the infamous border wall between the US and Mexico by Trump – although never fully actioned – may have driven down numbers, before ramping back up under Biden’s comparatively lax measures.
According to Case Western Reserve University professor Alex Cuic, human smugglers took advantage of this change in presidency to deceive migrants that it was urgent to now cross the border, due to decreased deportations and the ceasing of the border wall.
Other reasons include demand to migrate that has built-up following COVID-19 lockdowns. Since these measures were introduced, the number of migrants reached an all-time high of more than 302,000 in December 2023 alone.
Additionally, according to a 2022 UN study, 90 per cent of Mexican migrants left their home country due to organised crime, violence or extortion.
