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The latest figures from the United Nations indicate that the rate at which the international migrants is growing is higher than that of the world’s population.

UN’s Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), says the number of international migrants has now reached 272 million, outpacing the growth rate of the world’s population.

The figures reflect a jump from 2010 when the global number was at 221 million, and currently international migrants – defined as anyone who changes their “country of usual residence” – make up 3.5 percent of the global population, compared to 2.8 percent in the year 2000, according to the latest figures.

Europe hosts the largest number of international migrants, at 82 million; followed by North America, at 59 million; with 51 million in the United States alone – the largest number in a single nation.

North Africa and Western Asia host around 49 million migrants, and along with sub-Saharan Africa, are seeing the most significant influx in foreign populations.

With forced displacements continuing to increase, refugees and asylum seekers account for close to a quarter of global increases, which have risen by 13 million in number from 2010 to 2017.

Although migration is global, most journeys are taking place within a limited set of countries, with the US, Germany, and Saudi Arabia making up the top three.

The estimates are founded on official national statistics of foreign populations gathered from censuses. These numbers reflect any person who is moving or has moved across an international border, regardless of citizenship status or motive – meaning the data encompass people who have moved either intentionally or involuntarily.

The link between migration and development is “very well established,” Director for DESA’s Population Division, John Wilmoth told reporters at the UN, echoing the message from the Department’s Undersecretary-General ahead of the report release.

Mr. Wilmoth said as a general observation, the contribution of migrants both in host countries and countries of origin, includes sending valuable remittances back to countries of origin, and a major social contribution through the transmission of ideas.

The United Nations is committed to supporting safe migration, through international agreements to safeguard refugees and people on the move at large.

The Global Compact on Refugees, and Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, were adopted in December of 2018 in Marrakech Morocco with 150 countries ratifying the migration compact.