UN human development report 2009 “Overcoming Obstacles; Human Movement and Development” presented

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 27, ARMENPRESS:There are nearly 700 million inner and 200 million international migrants in the world according to UN human development report 2009 entitled “Overcoming Obstacles; Human Movement and Development”, which was presented today by UNDP Permanent Representative Consuelo Vidal. The studies have shown that 70 million of international migrants move from a developing country to a developed one, and about the half – to the countries of their region. Nearly 48 percent of them are women; this number has been preserved over the last 5 decades. “This reports points out the role of migration in human development and extends information to governments enabling them to make a full use of that potential. Governments should add the benefits derived from migration”, K. Vidal said. Migrants’ incomes are usually directed to their families and communities at homeland. The studies for preparing the reports have shown that the migrants of poorest countries win the most; in case of their movement to a developed country their average income increases 15 `time`s, the number of people getting education doubles and child deaths reduce for 16 `time`s. Contrary to the general comprehension, migrants promote economic development. According to the report, movement is one of the important elements of human freedom, from which migrants, their families and admitting countries benefit. It is mentioned in the report that governments should undertake a number of conceptual reforms in `order` to increase the benefits and to defend migrants’ rights. Deputy Head of Migration Agency of Armenian Ministry of Territorial Administration Irina Davtyan referring to the Armenian reality noted that here the situation is a bit different. If inner migrants comprise a great number in the world, in Armenia it is the opposite. Nearly 1 million people have emigrated from Armenia over the last 20 years, and 172 thousand people have moved inside the country. Karabakh war and earthquake are among the reasons of the shift. The majority of Armenian emigrants prefer Europe and USA. In 1990-s Armenian residents pointed out unemployment as the main reason of emigration and from 2000 – the low payment.