South-Eastern Europe, Eastern Europe and Central Asia is home to a highly diverse group of citizens, 32.8 million of which decided to cross international borders and generously contributed to the global economy. In fact, 3.5 per cent of the world population, or 272 million individuals, are migrants. Most international migrants remain within the region, with the Russian Federation, Ukraine and Kazakhstan being the most popular destinations. However, we see new migration trends in Eastern Europe forming of late. A high level of migration occurs within their countries too – urbanisation is on the rise across most of the region, as more opportunities are being created in larger cities.

Simultaneously, over 3.47 million people within the region are finding themselves forced to move within their home country, to escape natural or human-made disasters. As new corridors emerge, such as from Ukraine to Poland or Serbia to Germany, IOM continues to actively support governments in managing migration flows, based on almost seven decades of experience. The tremendous increase in air passengers over the past decade is also taken into account in our projects, particularly with the development and application of Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) across the region.

The SEEECA region includes a variety of migrants: with varying skills, ambitions, and drivers, including asylum-seekers who want to reach safe haven in the European Union. The programmes implemented by IOM throughout the region, assist countless lives, including those who are in new and protracted displacement, irrespective of the reason.

Read key migration data of the region in English или на русском языке.

Moreover, the SEEECA region is growing economically at a peak rate, with living and working standards increasing across the board. Part of the high economic growth can be attributed to the large remittances sent by international migrants. These private funds aid the home community overcome obstacles, and fuel the local economy for the future generation.

Finally, IOM is determined to ensure the advancement of the commitments adopted by our member states all of who recognize the developmental aspects of migration, as established through the GCM and enshrined in the Agenda 2030. Accordingly, all IOM projects, programmes and initiatives make certain that the interventions serve the advancement of national and regional priorities, as well as the GCM objectives and the targets set in the 2030 Agenda. As the SEEECA region, as well as the world, is witnessing an era of increased focus on (large scale) migratory movements which, while posing some challenges, it also creates opportunities. IOM is committed to address some of the world’s structural economic and demographic imbalances and contribute to social stability. For this purpose, the Regional Office in Vienna will work toward achieving the key strategic objectives – resilience, mobility, and governance – set out in IOM’s Strategic Vision 2019-2023.