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Legal migration to rich nations reached record high in 2023, led to economic gains but sparks voter backlash
FirstpostA third of OECD countries, including Canada, France, and Japan, recorded new highs in immigration, while the US accepted 1.2 million legal migrants. Economists credit this influx with helping advanced economies stabilise following the pandemic and inflationary pressures Legal migration to the world’s wealthiest countries surged to a record high in 2023, generating mixed reactions as governments grapple with voter discontent despite the economic benefits, a new Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development report shows. Analysis by Goldman Sachs shows immigration accounted for most employment gains in countries like Canada, New Zealand, Germany, and the UK since early 2023, and helped rebalance the US labour market with minimal economic cost, according to economist Joseph Briggs. The surge in international students — up 6.7 per cent to 2.1 million across OECD countries — has fueled housing market pressures, prompting new restrictions in the UK, Canada, and Australia.
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