520. Debunking The Biggest Migration Myths with Hein de Haas
Mar 24, 2025
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Hein de Haas, a sociology professor at the University of Amsterdam and author of "How Migration Really Works," dives deep into the realities of migration. He debunks myths, revealing that global migration levels are stable despite political uproar. The conversation explores how migration drives development and the economic impact of migrants. Hein clarifies the differences between human trafficking and smuggling and argues that political solutions often prioritize showmanship over addressing complex challenges in migration policies.
Migration has consistently been a stable aspect of human history, yet contemporary political narratives often exaggerate it as a recent crisis.
The majority of migration occurs internally within countries for economic reasons, challenging the perception that international migration dominates discussions.
Ineffective and restrictive immigration policies frequently lead to unintended outcomes, entrenching migrant communities rather than facilitating controlled labor flows.
Deep dives
Migration as a Historical Constant
Migration has been a fundamental aspect of human existence throughout history, with patterns observable from ancient hunter-gatherers to modern times. The awareness that migration is not a new phenomenon is often lost in contemporary discussions, which frequently portray it as an alarming increase rather than a continuation of established trends. Historical perspectives reveal that the percentage of migrants within populations, such as in the U.S. and Europe, has remained relatively stable despite political narratives suggesting otherwise. Recognizing that humans have always traversed borders helps contextualize current migration debates and challenges the perception of migration as a recent crisis.
Migration Policies and Political Denial
There exists a significant disconnect between the understanding of migration as a critical social and economic process and the policies crafted to manage it. Politicians, on both sides of the Atlantic, have largely denied the complexities of migration for decades, resulting in misaligned policies that fail to address the realities migrants face. This lack of foundational understanding has led to a cycle of ineffective policy-making, underscoring the need for informed discussions around migration rather than illusory political solutions. Successful immigration policy requires a recognition of the true nature of migration, which involves not just numbers, but the socio-economic underpinnings that drive human movement.
Internal Migration vs. International Migration
The vast majority of migration occurs within national borders rather than across them, a fact that is often overlooked in discussions dominated by fears of international migration. Countries like China and those in Africa experience significant internal migration driven by economic opportunities, as people move from rural areas to urban centers. Historical context shows that significant population movements have always occurred within states, reshaping social and economic landscapes. Addressing internal migration dynamics is crucial for understanding broader migration patterns and the ongoing challenges faced by urbanizing regions.
Perceptions of Migrants and Economic Motivations
Migrant motivations are predominantly economic, grounded in the pursuit of better employment opportunities for themselves and their families. Contrary to popular narratives that depict migrants as desperate refugees, research shows that the majority view migration as an investment in their future. Factors like violence or poverty certainly influence some to migrate, but most move for more pragmatic reasons, such as job prospects and income potential. The nuanced understanding of these motivations is essential for constructing effective migration policies that reflect the realities of those making the journey.
The Consequences of Restrictive Immigration Policies
Restrictive immigration policies often have unintended consequences, such as pushing migrant populations into permanent settlement rather than encouraging temporary labor flows. When barriers to migration are implemented, they may result in increased fears among migrants, reducing their likelihood to return to their home countries even after economic downturns. In many cases, these policies backfire, resulting in larger, more entrenched migrant communities rather than the intended outcomes of controlled migration. The ongoing failure to recognize the complexities of labor needs and the realities of migration demonstrates the need for a reevaluation of policies that have repeatedly proven ineffective.
Contrary to popular belief, global migration levels have remained relatively stable. So why has it become such a hot button issue on the political world stage?
Hein de Haas is a professor of sociology at the University of Amsterdam and an expert in migration. His book, How Migration Really Works: The Facts About the Most Divisive Issue in Politics delves into migration as a historical and ongoing phenomenon, comparing past and present migration patterns.
Hein and Greg discuss common misconceptions about migration, why people migrate in the first place, and what the actual impact of migration is on the economy, culture, and climate.
*unSILOed Podcast is produced by University FM.*
Episode Quotes:
Political showmanship won’t solve migration
26:24: There are no easy solutions for complex migration problems. So that migration can cause problems in places where migrants concentrate, and not everybody is happy about it, particularly because employers reap the biggest benefits of their cheap labor—I can fully understand that. But the kind of solutions that politicians sell to us have more to do with bold acts of political showmanship than any really serious effort to control and manage migration.
Migration is part of development
15:07: We need a new paradigm, a new theory on migration—that migration is part of development. This is not about liking migration or not or denying that migration can also lead to tensions and problems. But if you deny that fundamental reality, you also see it in middle-income countries, where many governments have tried to stop or curb rural-to-urban migration. It has all failed.
Are politicians in denial about the realities of migration?
02:53: Both in the U.S., but also across the Atlantic in Europe, politicians have been basically in denial for over the last four to five decades about the realities of migration. That's the reason why these policies always fail. It’s a lack of fundamental understanding of migration as a social and economic process that needs to be the foundation of any policy. The migration issue has been completely hijacked by politicians, with pro- and anti-migration debates that don't really engage with the realities of migration. That huge gap is really the problem.
