1. Response to Korea’s Demographic Changes: The Role of Migration Policy
Dr. Charles Harns
Director
MRTC
July 2012

2. Contents Migration Policy Can Affect Population Demographics
2. Linking Korea’s Migration Policies with Population Goals:
Four Strategies
3. Main Conclusions

3. Migration Policy Can Affect Population Demographics
Percent of increase in labor force in the last decade attributable to migrants
Whether they do,
depends on the policies
and
how they are implemented
E U
70%
Migration policies and
their outcomes can be intended
or managed, or de facto
and largely unplanned

4. Migration Policy Can Affect Population Demographics
Population in 2055
52.7 million (+16.4%)
If migration
continues
Spain
2011 population 47.2 million persons
Population in 2055
36 million (-14.8%)
If migration
stops

5. Korea’s Migration Profile Permanent Immigration
Ethnic Diversity
Overall
Immigration
Very
Low

6. Linking Korea’s Migration Policies with Population Goals
Korea’s current migration policies are not directly linked with
strategies to address the core population challenges
As a result, Korea’s migration policies are currently having
little if any impact on basic population problems
Four strategy directions
should be considered to better link
Korea’s migration policies with population goals

7. Linking Korea’s Migration Policies with Population Goals
Strategy 1
Linking selective migration policies for labor
with population goals
by providing selective bridges
from temporary to permanent status
for labor migrants of various skill levels
whose family demographic profiles,
as well as their workforce profiles,
are advantageous for Korea

8. Linking Korea’s Migration Policies with Population Goals
Strategy 2
Further linking labor migration and
foreign student policies and mechanisms
with long-term population recovery goals

9. Linking Korea’s Migration Policies with Population Goals
Strategy 3
Gearing the nationality system toward
attracting and securing
the permanent immigration groups
Korea needs

10. Linking Korea’s Migration Policies with Population Goals
Strategy 4
Continuing and strengthening
integration programmes
to create an enabling and welcoming
environment
for all types of foreigners

11. Linking Korea’s Migration Policies with Population Goals
Conclusion
A Korean permanent resident and citizen population
characterized by more balanced demographic
numbers and characteristics,
sustained in part through significant contributions
from increased permanent immigration,
and augmented by temporary labor migrants where needed,
holds the best prospects for sustained and inclusive growth for Korea

12. IOM MRTC The IOM MRTC was established in 2009, at the
request of Government of Korea, to help Korea
address major migration policy issues.
Government of Korea funds the MRTC,
and Korea is a Member State of the
International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The MRTC welcomes the opportunity to assist all
arms of Government of Korea involved in
migration policy.

13. Thank You! The Migration Research and Training Centre of the
International Organization for Migration
Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do
Thank You! 29