Migrants are too often victims of human trafficking

-people to move. At the same time conflict, poverty, inequality and lack of decent jobs are among the reasons that compel people to leave their homes in search of better futures for themselves and their families.

When supported by appropriate policies, migration can contribute to inclusive and sustainable economic growth and development in both home and host communities.

Migrants, as some of the most dynamic members of society, can also forge new paths in science, medicine and technology and enrich their host communities by promoting cultural diversity.

In spite of the many benefits of migration, migrants themselves remain among the most vulnerable members of society. They are often the first to lose their job in the event of an economic downturn, often working for less pay, for longer hours, and in worse conditions than national workers. While for many migration is an empowering experience, others endure human rights violations, abuse and di

scrimination. Migrants, particularly women and children, are too often victims of human trafficking and the heinous forms of exploitation that human trafficking entails. Further, in many parts of the world, migration remains one of the few options for people, particularly young people, to find decent work, and escape poverty, persecution and violence.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recognises the positive contribution of migrants for inclusive growth and sustainable development. It further recognises that international migration is a multi-dimensional reality of major relevance for the development of countries of origin, transit and destination, which requires coherent and comprehensive responses. International cooperation is critical to ensure safe, orderly and regular migration involving full respect for human rights and the humane treatment of migrants and refugees.

With ever increasing numbers of migrants moving throughout the world, the UN General Assembly declared the 18 December as a day to celebrate the role of the migrant and the contribution that migration brings to development.

UN member states and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations observe the day through the dissemination of information on the human rights and fundamental freedoms of migrants, and through the sharing of experiences and the design of actions to ensure their protection.

In 2013 member states officially recognized the role of migration in terms of development and asked for further cooperation to overcome the challenges of irregular migration.

Female migrants outnumber male migrants inEurope and Northern America, while in Africa and Asia, particularly Western Asia, migrants are predominantly men. The median age of international migrants worldwide was 39 years in 2015, a slight increase from 38 years in 2000. Yet in some major areas, the migrant stock is becoming younger. Between 2000 and 2015, the median age of international migrants declined in Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Oceania.