The world’s geography of migration is changing, and with it our understanding of economic development, national success and the role of public policy.

Every few years a new set of migration statistics appears, accompanied by headlines about which countries are “winning” the global competition for people. The latest OECD figures comparing permanent immigration between 2019 and 2024 appear, at first glance, to tell a familiar story. Immigration is rising. Countries are competing for skilled workers. Population mobility is increasing. Globalisation continues.

Beneath the rankings lies a more profound story. The most surprising result is not that immigration continues to grow, but where it is growing fastest. Poland heads the OECD rankings with a remarkable 129 per cent increase in permanent immigration. Lithuania follows close behind. Mexico, Spain, Costa Rica and Ireland also recorded dramatic increases, while several countries long associated with immigration experienced more modest growth. Others, including Colombia, Latvia, Czechia, Sweden and Norway, recorded declines.

The traditional picture of migration flowing overwhelmingly towards a small number of wealthy western nations no longer captures reality. Immigration is becoming more dispersed. Economic opportunity itself is becoming more geographically diverse.

Poland offers perhaps the clearest example of this transformation. For much of the 20th century Poland was synonymous with emigration. Millions left in search of work and security. Today it has become one of Europe’s fastest-growing destinations for international workers. Rising wages, sustained economic growth and expanding industries have transformed it from........

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