Debunking the migration myths

Ahmad Ibrahim

It is common knowledge that the largest economy in the world, the United States, was built on the contributions and sacrifices of immigrants.

But now, the same people who came as migrants are turning away new ones. Many see this as an irony.

For too long, the public debate on migration has been dominated by soundbites about border walls and job theft. It is a narrative built on fear and scarcity.

But if we dare to look at the cold, hard data compiled by experts like the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), a far more compelling – and optimistic – story emerges.

Migration is not an economic burden to be managed. It is, in fact, a powerful and multifaceted engine for prosperity, in both receiving and sending nations. The evidence is hard to ignore.

Busting the job theft myth

Let’s start with the most persistent myth: that migrants “take our jobs”.

The OECD’s analysis consistently reveals a more nuanced truth. Migrants don’t just fill jobs – they fill critical gaps in the labour market. They are the healthcare workers in ageing societies, the engineers in tech hubs and the seasonal agricultural labourers who bring in the harvest. Many London bus drivers are migrants!

Crucially, they often complement native-born workers rather than compete with them. They take on roles at both the high and low ends of the skill spectrum that local populations are not filling in sufficient numbers.

This expands economic capacity, boosts productivity and can even create more jobs – by fostering new demand and enabling native-born workers to specialise in higher-value tasks.

Do migrants drain the system?

Then there is the perennial worry about public finances. Do migrants drain our welfare states? The weight of evidence says no.

When integrated properly into the labour market, migrants may even be net contributors to public finances over their lifetimes. They pay taxes, social security, and consumption taxes. And yes, they use public services, funded by the government.

But their fiscal impact may even be net positive and beneficial especially if they are young, working-age arrivals.

The challenge isn’t migration itself, but ensuring policies are in place to facilitate swift labour market integration. A doctor driving a taxi is a loss for everyone.

Beyond the immediate balance sheet, migrants are dynamos of innovation and entrepreneurship. From Silicon Valley startups to neighbourhood shops, migrant-led businesses create jobs and revitalise communities. They bring diverse perspectives, global networks and a unique appetite for risk – the very ingredients for economic dynamism. To view migrants merely as labour units is to miss their role as catalysts for new ideas and ventures.

The untold story: sending countries

Perhaps the most under-told chapter of this story is the impact on countries of origin.

Global remittances reached around $905bn in 2024, according to the World Bank – roughly four times the total official development assistance provided by OECD countries. This money pays for education, healthcare and small business startups, directly reducing poverty.

But the impact goes beyond the financial. Diaspora communities act as “brain circulation” networks, facilitating the transfer of knowledge, skills and investment back home. The engineer who migrates may later found a tech company in her country of origin, creating a virtuous cycle of development.

This is not to paint an unblemished picture. Poorly managed, large-scale migration can strain local infrastructure and services in the short term. Public anxiety, if left unaddressed, is real and politically potent.

The key is not to halt movement but to implement smart policies: robust integration programmes, recognition of foreign qualifications and community investments that ensure everyone benefits from growth.

The bottom line, as the OECD data makes clear, is that we are having the wrong conversation. Migration is not a zero-sum game. It is a defining feature of a globalised, interconnected world and a demographic imperative for ageing Western nations.

The evidence shows that when harnessed effectively, the movement of people is a powerful driver of economic growth, innovation and resilience.

The choice is not between open doors and closed borders. It is between fearful inertia and strategic management.

If we want thriving, competitive and sustainable economies, we must stop seeing migrants as a problem and start recognising them as partners in prosperity.

The data has spoken. It is time our politics listened.

Professor Dato Ahmad Ibrahim is affiliated with the Tan Sri Omar Centre for STI Policy Studies at UCSI University. He is also an adjunct professor at the Ungku Aziz Centre for Development Studies, University of Malaya.

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