A new report says there has been a dramatic decline in the number of people moving away from their native countries to work overseas since the start of the global recession.
The research, commissioned by the BBC World Service, also found that migrants are sending less money home than they used to.
The report paints a picture of a recession that has had a dramatic impact on economic migration. The story is varied, but the general pattern is one of fewer people moving overseas for work.
However, despite the loss of income that many face, the research did not find evidence of massive return migration.
That may reflect the fact that for many migrants, economic conditions are worse at home, and many would find it difficult if they wanted to return to the host country later.
The research was done by the Migration Policy Institute in Washington.
