Indians among top asylum-seekers, according to the International Migration Outlook 2017

According to the International Migration Outlook 2017 report on Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) member countries, Indians are among top asylum-seekers in other countries such as New Zealand, Australia, Finland, Japan, Latvia, Slovak Republic, United Kingdom and the United States of America.

Highlights of International Migration Outlook 2017:

As per the report, Indians and Chinese were the top asylum seekers in countries such as New Zealand and Latvia between 2012 and 2016.

• During 2015-16, total 340 people sought asylum in New Zealand. Out of them, India and China were the largest source countries of asylum-seekers – 11% and 9% respectively.
• Despite a relatively calm political and economic situation within the country, Indians are the top asylum seekers in other countries such as Australia, Finland, Japan, Latvia, Slovak Republic, United Kingdom and the United States of America.
• Data sourced from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has revealed that Indians have sought asylum in more than 40 countries. Most of the Indian asylum seekers are students who apply for asylum in order to overstay their visa and people seeking low skill jobs.
• With 6,300 asylum seekers in 2012 and 2013, Europe has historically seen a large number of applications from Indian asylum seekers. However, refugee crisis in Syria and Iraq has changed this situation over the last couple of years.

About International Migration Outlook:

International Migration Outlook is an annual publication by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

• International Migration Outlook 2017 is the 41st edition.
• This report analyses recent developments in migration movements and policies in OECD countries and selected non-member countries.
• It also examines the impact of the recent increase in humanitarian migration.