A new IOM publication, part of the series Cuadernos Migratorios or
Migration Notebooks, launched in Buenos Aires this week, reports a
dramatic increase in migration from neighboring countries and Peru
to Argentina in the first decade of the 21st century.

Official census data from 1991, 2001 and 2010 also shows a
marked increase in the number of migrants living in
Argentina.  In 1991 there were 1.62 million migrants, in 2001
1.53 million, and in 2011 1.81 million.

While Argentina has become the main destination for labour
migration in South America, migrants still only represent 4.5 per
cent of the population, a slight increase from the 4.2 per
cent  figure of 2001.  This is much lower than historical
percentages (30 per cent in 1915 and 15.2 per cent in 1947.) 
Migrants from South America accounted for 77 per cent of all
migrants in 2010, compared to 66 per cent in 2001 and 50 per cent
in 1991.

Main countries of origin of migrants in Argentina are Paraguay
(551,000), Bolivia (345,000), Chile (191,000) and Peru
(158,000).  Migration flows from these three countries have
seen a marked increase in the last decade, and have had a positive
impact on lowering the average age of the total population and
expanding the labour force in an era of sustained economic growth
for the country.

The vast majority of migrants are concentrated in the
metropolitan region of Buenos Aires: 75.3 per cent of Paraguayans;
74.1 per cent of Uruguayans; and 71.9 per cent of Peruvians.
Bolivian migrants are more evenly distributed throughout the
country, with only 55 per cent living in the greater Buenos Aires
area.  This is because many of them work in vegetable
production, which has contributed to an increase in the
availability of fresh produce and lower prices.

“This steady increase of immigration can be attributed to
a larger and more diversified labour market, the need for low
skilled labour, and the internal economic stability of
Argentina,” explains IOM Regional Director for South America
Juan Artola.

Labour market data analysed in the report confirms a robust
labour market that since 2003 has provided employment for
Argentinians and migrants. Migrant labour has not displaced local
labour or visibly affected average wages. 

While Bolivian migrants are concentrated in the horticultural
sector, many Paraguayans work in construction. Both sectors have
traditionally faced labour shortages.  Migrant women, who
slightly outnumber men, mainly work as domestic labour, as carers
for the elderly or in child care.

The full report in Spanish can be found at:

"http://www.iom.int/jahia/webdav/shared/shared/mainsite/published_docs/serial_publications/CM02_Impacto_de_las_Migraciones_en_Argentina.pdf"
target=
"_blank">http://www.iom.int/jahia/webdav/shared/shared/mainsite/published_docs/serial_publications/CM02_Impacto_de_las_Migraciones_en_Argentina.pdf

Upcoming issues of Cuadernos Migratorios will include: Migration
in the MERCOSUR area; Paraguayan Hometown Associations in
Argentina; and A Panorama of Extra-regional Migration in South
America.

For more information, please contact 

Ezequiel Texido

IOM Buenos Aires

Tel: +54 11 5219 2033/4/5

Email: "mailto:etexido@iom.int">etexido@iom.int