International Migrants Day

On International Migrants Day, we highlight stories of personal growth, contribution, and social connections. These are everyday moments that shape how societies grow and live together, and today we pause to acknowledge them. Stories

Today, as the world marks International Migrants Day (IMD), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is reaffirming migration as a story of opportunity, human progress, and shared development and calling for stronger, more robust migration systems that protect people on the move and support the communities that welcome them. Observed every year on  December 18th , the observance of the International Migrants Day recognizes the contributions of migrants worldwide and underscores the importance of protecting their rights and dignity. In 2025, the Day is marked under the theme “ My Great Story: Cultures and Development ,” highlighting how human mobility enriches societies, drives economic growth, and strengthens connections across communities. “Migration is woven into the lives of families and communities everywhere. It is a story of courage, determination, and the ties that bind us across borders,” said IOM Director General Amy Pope. “Today, we honor the people who s...

  Every year on 18 December, International Migrants Day is recognized to advocate for migrants’ rights, including their right to health. WHO/Europe marks International Migrants Day by joining the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in its call to support people in finding safety and opportunity by ensuring access to health services throughout their migration journeys. The health dimensions of migration include ways in which human mobility affects physical and mental well-being, access to health services and continuity of care across borders, as well as whether health systems respond in inclusive and equitable ways. Protecting migrants’ health is essential for collective development, social cohesion and resilient health systems, and it is fundamental to achieving universal health coverage. Migration is a long-standing part of human history, shaped by people moving for varied reasons and along diverse routes An estimated 94.1 million international migrants live in the Euro...

To mark International Migrant Day 2025 , the IOM invites people everywhere to join DG Pope in taking part by sharing their own migration stories using the hashtag #MyGreatStory . Individuals, communities, and business leaders are encouraged to reflect on how migration has shaped their lives, cultures, and contributions , and to join a global conversation on the role of human mobility in driving development and economic growth.