Maximising the Development Outcomes of Migration: A Policy Perspective

Policymakers are searching for ways to increase developmental benefits of migration, and decrease its costs. This paper examines the levers at their disposal. This paper recognises the importance of the policy instruments which receive the most attention—migration policy (especially rules about entry and exit) and development policy (in particular migration’s place in national development strategies and donor cooperation policies). However, the authors suggest that to maximise benefits and minimise costs, policy thinking must be broadened and systematised. The paper sets out in a systematic manner the ways in which migration impacts upon development. It then analyses how the process of migration and development creates those impacts, and suggests where policy can intervene in the process to improve outcomes. The authors illustrate the analysis with a number of policy case studies.