The above table shows the changing nature of pattern of international migration. It shows that between 1990 and 2005 developed countries absorbed most of the increase in the number of international migrants. In the developing countries, during this period, the migrant stock virtually stagnated: the number of migrants in developing countries increased only by barely 3 million. It is possible that the actual amount of new outflows to the developed countries (emigration) was more but the return flows cancelled it out.

DEMOGRAPHIC DIVERSITY: A HOLISTIC PICTURE

Table 5.7 shows the broad characteristics of the populations of developed and developing countries.