Reversing the flow of international migration

Abstract

Purpose

The role of international migration, mainly south‐to‐north migration, in economic growth has been well recognised. This paper aims to explore the possibility of reversing the flow of international migration from north to south or from developed countries to developing countries.

Design/methodology/approach

The historical development of international migration is reviewed linking the migration with economic development and the possible impact of the reversal in the international migration is analyzed.

Findings

The paper argues that reversing the flow of international migration from north to south will increase total net world opportunities through synergic effects, help close the gap between rich and poor countries through sharing the world prosperity and increase the world harmony through the integration of diverse population.

Originality/value

Unlike the main stream scholarly works in the field, this paper views the international migration from a different perspective and discusses the possibility of implementing reverse migration policy as a development strategy in the least‐developed countries.

Citation

Shrestha, M.B. (2011), "Reversing the flow of international migration", International Journal of Social Economics, Vol. 38 No. 2, pp. 165-176. https://doi.org/10.1108/03068291111092025