520. Debunking The Biggest Migration Myths with Hein de Haas

Mar 24, 2025

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.

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INSIGHT

Migration Levels

Globally, migration levels have remained relatively stable, not rising as popularly believed.
This stability contrasts with public perception, especially regarding international migration.

INSIGHT

Migration as Investment

Migration is primarily an economic investment decision, driven by opportunity.
This motivation is often obfuscated by narratives focusing on refugees or portraying migrants as victims.

INSIGHT

Development and Migration

Fostering development in poorer countries doesn't reduce migration; it enables it.
Increased income provides capital for migration investment, contradicting the belief that development keeps people in their home countries.

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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.

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Recommended Resources:

Economist Michael Piore books

Guest Profile:

Faculty Profile at University of Amsterdam
Professional Website

His Work:

How Migration Really Works: The Facts About the Most Divisive Issue in Politics