COVID-19’s impact on migration

Introduction to Module 10: COVID-19’s impact on migration

The year 2020 will go down in history as the “Year of COVID-19”, when a new coronavirus emerged and spread across the world in a series of waves that by 2021 had impacted the lives of almost every person on the planet. New words emerged in common discourse that just a year prior would have had different or little meaning: “zoom”, “lockdown”, “social distancing”, “PPE”, “face mask” or “contact tracing”. Two other words have particular implications for migration: “border closure” and “quarantine”. This module provides an analysis of the impacts of COVID-19 on migration and mobility.

Learning Objective

Students will be able to identify the short and longer-term implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on migration, mobility and migrants globally.

WMR Chapter Focus

This module will draw on Chapter 5 ‘COVID-19’s impact on migration, mobility and migrants globally’ in the World Migration Report 2022, COVID-19 Analytical Snapshots, and other resources developed by the Migration Research Division.

Proposed Schedule

1-2 class periods (50-100 minutes) plus independent student work.

  • Class period one: introduction, student resource sheet; text-based and data-based questions

  • Class period two: Module 10 Scenario Interactive Activity: “Examining the impacts of COVID-19 on migration and mobility”

Student Assessment

There are several assessment options in this module and teachers may use some or all of them.

  • Understanding the Basics: Questions based on the Student Resource Sheets
  • Going Further:
    • Text case study: COVID-19 and remittances in Bangladesh
    • Data case study: COVID-19 travel restriction measures
    • Interactive Scenario: Examining the impacts of COVID-19 on migration and mobility

Evidence of Learning

Students will work together to complete a group activity that focuses on the global implications of COVID-19 on migration. The activity includes an oral and/or visual presentation about the project.

Starter Activity

Visit IOM’s COVID-19 Analytical Snapshots to learn about the research, information and analysis on COVID-19 and migration.