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Jordanian talent migration poses major challenge
The Social and Economic Council has highlighted the severe impact of illegal migration, describing it as a catastrophic challenge. The council's president, Musa Shteiwi, emphasized that individuals often migrate in search of employment and better economic conditions.
This came after an in-depth report by Roya that uncovered a rising trend of Jordanian youth undertaking perilous journeys through Europe and Latin America in an attempt to migrate illegally to the US.
During an interview with Roya on Thursday, Shteiwi noted that rapid globalization over the past 30 years has significantly influenced migration patterns. He pointed out that annually, 280 to 300 million people worldwide migrate for various reasons, including economic conditions, wars, and conflicts.
Shteiwi stressed that the illegal migration of Jordanian and Arab youth to the United States carries extreme risks, being unsafe and illegal, with catastrophic consequences. This route is often taken when legal migration pathways are inaccessible, prompting a need for increased awareness of its dangers.
He identified the migration of Jordanian talents as the most detrimental type, estimating that around 1.5 million Jordanians, primarily skilled professionals, have emigrated, significantly impacting the economy.
Shteiwi also mentioned that Jordan's high population growth could be partly attributed to migration. Despite the negative aspects, he acknowledged a positive economic impact from remittances, which inject approximately USD 4 billion annually into the economy, describing migration as a complex phenomenon.
He underscored the varied dimensions, causes, and impacts of illegal migration, highlighting the risks of fraud and the inherent dangers of such journeys.
Analysts suggest that Jordanians remain among the top Arab nationals considering migration, driven by the pursuit of better job opportunities or new experiences abroad.
