Digital technology and migration

Why digitalise?

In migration policy and practice there has been significant investment by States in digitalisation and automation over recent years (and in some cases, decades), including to realise efficiencies and manage significant increases in volume. Australia, for example, embarked on its ‘global working’ program in the mid-1990s in order to move from a paper-based application processing system to a digital platform supported by service delivery partners in locations with limited/no online accessibility. One of the early online visa application systems resulted in between 15 and 20 basic application checks being automated, thereby significantly reducing processing time and staffing costs.

The table and figures show the increase in international migrants over time – both numerically and proportionally – and at a slightly faster rate than previously anticipated, including because of the prevailing forces of globalization. Through the data you can make connections between the expansion of digital technology and the implications for migration.

Table 1. International migrants, 1970 to 2020

Figure 1. Air transport passengers carried, 1980 to 2018 (ICAO, 2019)

During 2020, many analysts around the world were closely following the latest information and analysis to understand the migration and mobility implications of COVID-19 on international remittances. Several countries have taken measures to encourage the use of digital services during the pandemic, and mobile money platforms have made the transfer of remittances cheaper and faster than the traditional cash and bank transfers. Through mobile money, remittances have become more traceable, making this method safer than informal channels. [From WMR 2022 Ch. 2, see also module 7 on international remittances]

Figure 2. International remittance flows to low- and middle-income countries (1990–2020)

Figure 3. Global internet and mobile telephone access, 1995 to 2019 (ITU, 2020)