What's An Immigration Regime? Exploring Migration Patterns Worldwide

For thousands of years, immigration has been an important tool to help people move around the world. Immigration has historically provided countries with economic, social and cultural benefits. Ultimately, it has given rise to multicultural societies worldwide.

Immigration patterns have changed over time for various reasons including the demands of colonization and the pursuit of economic and religious freedoms. Initially, human migration was not regulated, and it was influenced by many factors. After World War II, the refugee movement that lasted through the 1960s heavily influenced human migration patterns. Immigration to Europe increased drastically, which led to a polarization of views on immigration among the European countries. Some countries welcomed and even pursued immigrants, while others started placing caps on immigration levels.