Present-Day Migration in Southeast Asia: Evolution, Flows and Migration Dynamics

Abstract

The proportion of people’s movement within Southeast Asia continues to rise with the UN estimating there are over ten million international migrants in the region. The causes of migration are varied and may be due to economic inequalities, environmental degradation, violent conflicts and other forms of human rights violations. Many of the richer countries in the region (where 96% of the region’s migrants are found) depend on human mobility to fill low-wage jobs in agriculture, tourism, construction, domestic help and their plight has been thrust into the spotlight by the COVID-19 pandemic. Forced, irregular and mixed migratory flows are all key trends in Southeast Asia. This chapter aims to explore the dynamics of these mixed migration flows by taking a theoretical approach to analysing migration in the region. The chapter concludes by assessing the effectiveness of existing policies and mechanisms in Southeast Asia in order to provide recommendations for a more rights-based regional approach to migration.