Around 22.1 million displaced people remain across the Latin America continent as of the middle of 2023. This figure in Latin America and the Caribbean represented approximately a third of all the new individual asylum applications in the world.
This is revealed by new studies from the United Nations (UN), which confirm that migration in Latin America fills important gaps in local labour markets and drives the demand for goods and services in host countries and communities.
The analysis, divulged by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), states that this phenomenon could increase tax revenue and boost economic growth, following an analysis on their impact in nations such as Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico and Peru.
At the same time, they warn that refugees and displaced persons often face vulnerable situations and challenges, like xenophobia and discrimination. Although the majority of this population is of working age, with a high level of education and in employment, they are frequently over-qualified for their jobs and work in informal activities, which limits their salaries and worsens their ability to put food on the table.
The reports ‘Venezuelans in Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru – A Development Opportunity’ an d ‘Socio-Economic Integration of Forcibly Displaced Populations in Latin America and the Caribbean’, demand the need to facilitate access to labour markets for migrants.
Likewise, it recognises the need to facilitate basic services, such as education and healthcare, so that those people can contribute better in their host countries.
Although the first report revealed that the majority of Venezuelans wish to remain in their host country, it recognised that their participation in the community was mainly limited to religious activity, despite sharing language and cultural links.
In the four host countries, between 26% and 40% of migrants from Venezuela reported cases of discrimination, especially women and young people. Both reports agree that xenophobia and discrimination can have a negative effect on socioeconomic inclusion and lessen their ability to participate in the places where they settle.
According to UNHCR, these publications represent a fundamental step towards encouraging solutions and guaranteeing full socioeconomic inclusion of this population in host countries.
(Translated by Donna Davison – Email: donna_davison@hotmail.com) – Photos: Pixabay
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