Oct 24, 2013 - Notes: - Changes from previous versions of this factsheet reflect estimates up to mid-2010 (rather than l
Adolescents, Youth and International Migration (15-24 yrs.): Facts and Figures Globally, there are approximately 28 million adolescent and youth international migrants. There are approximately 28 million international migrants between the ages of 15 and 24 years, representing about 12 per cent of the total migrant population.
20-24-year-olds represent the largest group among adolescent and youth migrants. Among the 28 million adolescent and youth international migrants, 20 to 24-year-olds account for some 60 per cent (17 million), followed by middle and late adolescents (15-19 years of age) who comprise 40 per cent (11 million).
Developing countries host a slightly higher proportion of adolescent and youth migrants.
In Asia and Oceania, 20 to 24-year-olds represent 60 per cent of adolescent and youth migrants, while 15 to 19-yearolds represent 60 per cent of the total population of adolescent and youth migrants residing in those regions. In Northern America and Europe, 20 to 24-year-olds represent 62 and 63 per cent of the total adolescent and youth migrant population respectively, while 15 to 19-yearolds represent 38 and 37 per cent of the adolescent and youth migrant population residing in those regions respectively.
Among adolescent and youth international migrants, males outnumber females.
Approximately 51 per cent of the total international migrant population between 15 and 24 years of age reside in less developed countries. Adolescents and youth represent 15 per cent of the total migrant population residing in less developed countries, while in more developed countries adolescents and youth represent 10 per cent of the total migrant population.
Globally, 46 per cent of migrants aged 15-to-24 are young women or girls. At the global level there are 87 female migrants for every 100 male migrants between 15 and 24 years of age. Migrant girls are less numerous in less developed countries. In developing countries there are 100 male migrants for every 79 female migrants between the ages of 15 and 24. In developed countries there are 100 male migrants for every 96 female migrants between the ages of 15 and 24.
Significant regional differences exist in the proportion of adolescent and youth migrants.
Regional differences exist in the proportion of male and female adolescent and youth migrants.
The proportion of adolescent and youth migrants in the total international migrant population residing in those regions is highest in Africa (18 per cent), followed by Asia and Latin America and the Caribbean (14 and 13 per cent respectively), Europe and Northern America (10 per cent) and Oceania (9 per cent).
In Europe and Oceania, there are 98 female migrants for every 100 male migrants aged between 15 and 24. In contrast, in Asia, Africa and Northern America, for every 100 male adolescent and youth migrants there are 72, 88 and 91 female migrants respectively, while Latin America and the Caribbean has 106 female adolescent and youth migrants for every 100 male migrants aged 15-to-24.
There are regional variations among adolescent and youth migrants. In Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean, 20-24year-olds represent approximately 53 per cent of the total adolescent and youth international migrant population, while 15 to19-year-olds make up 47 per cent. October 2013
Notes: - Changes from previous versions of this factsheet reflect estimates up to mid-2010 (rather than latest available data points). -
Data includes foreign born and foreign citizens. Foreign born refers to persons born outside the country of enumeration. Foreign citizen refers to persons who do not have the citizenship of the country of enumeration. Scales are drawn using Jenks natural breaks to reflect the nature of the distributions.
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The designations “least developed”, “developed countries” and “developing countries” are used for statistical purposes and do not reflect any judgement about the stage reached by a particular country in the development process. “‘Developed countries” are those in Europe, North America, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. The rest are “developing countries”.
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The boundaries, names and designations used on maps do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.
