Migrant Power

A new World Bank report shows that migration remains a significant force in Eastern Europe and Central Asia almost two decades after the fall of the Berlin Wall. While the initial surge of migration in the 1990s was due to ethnic reconsolidation, there has been a growing movement of workers seeking economic opportunity from the region’s poorer nations. According to the report, the remittances these migrant workers send home generally promote economic development and alleviate poverty. The aging population in the region is likely to produce fewer migrants in the long run. Still, according to “The Economist,” shorter-term movements may still deliver wealth, knowledge and practices that could improve daily life. New ideas could prove to be more valuable than cash. – YaleGlobal