Around 65.3 million people around the globe have been forced out of their homes by conflict or natural disasters, according to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), including 21.3 million refugees and 3.2 million asylum seekers (those who have applied for refugee status). These unplanned movements of populations have profound social and economic consequences for the regions and countries to which displaced people flee, impacting job markets, housing, consumption, public resources, trade, and more. These consequences aren’t necessarily negative. Refugees and other displaced populations can stimulate consumption, create jobs for themselves and others and actively participate in expanding trade networks.
Published in: The Guardian • Le Monde • El Pais • Cityscope​​​​​​​