The world needs migrants. Migration isn’t just a product of global inequality—it’s the solution to it. 

Where income inequality squeezes the middle class, migration expands it. Migrants boost economies at both ends of their journeys and migration allows millions of people to not only change their geography, but their social class as well. 

To celebrate our migrants and the hard work that they do, here are 5 facts about migrants (and why the world needs them).

Remittances effectively redistribute wealth

In 2020, migrants worldwide sent a total of USD 702 billion home. Of that amount, USD 540 billion was sent to low and middle-income countries. Remittances sent by migrants have 3 times more impact than international aid programmes. In fact, funds sent home by migrant workers support about one in nine people globally.

Migrants create success

When migrants have the environment to prosper, they do exactly that. In 2018, over half of America’s ‘unicorns’ were founded by immigrants. And in 2020, immigrants were starting businesses in the USA at nearly double the rate of people born there. Between 1901 and 2021, 35% of the Nobel Prizes won by Americans were awarded to immigrants working in chemistry, medicine and physics.

Migrants boost the economy

The work that migrants do has a huge impact on the global economy. In 2015, migrants contributed over 9% (or USD 6.7 trillion) to the global gross domestic product (GDP). Had immigration to the United Kingdom and Germany ceased in 1990, both countries’ real GDP in 2014 would have been lower by GBP 175 billion and GBP 155 billion respectively.

Migration and remittances help to reduce poverty

Not only does immigration provide a source of dynamism globally, but it’s also a catalyst for economic growth at an aggregate level and produces net economic benefits. Both international migration and remittances significantly reduce the level, depth and severity of poverty in the developing world.

Migration is a question of social justice

To the ravages of war, climate change, racial discrimination and religious persecution, migration provides a solution that is not only fair but beneficial. It brings opportunities to the dispossessed, bringing people together for their mutual economic and spiritual gain. Preventing migration is not only unjust, but it’s also futile. It’s to stifle an irrepressible force. It’s to criminalise and demonise a vital natural response to a global problem while robbing us of its benefits.

For the world to reap the benefits of migration, we must support it both with infrastructure and mindset. Stronger communities are built with integration. And migration brings essential benefits to both the host country and the rest of the world.

We must work towards a world without borders.

A world where hard-working people can seize every opportunity to live and work in peace with dignity and with genuine hope of a better future.

At TransferGo, we empower migrants to prosper.

Because the world needs migrants.

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Moving to the UK from another country can be daunting. As well as the physical distance and being away from family and friends, adjusting to new cultures and routines can be tough. In the UK, there are also many odd rules and laws that simply don’t make sense.

To help you adjust, here are 6 of the strangest UK laws you weren’t aware of (until now).

You can’t fly a kite in public

According to the Metropolitan Police Act 1839, it is illegal to fly a kite on public thoroughfares. But don’t worry if you’ve already broken this one—many children are still doing so today. There’s also a law banning sledging. Now that’s just unnecessary.

You can’t be drunk in a pub

Now, this is a rule that many pubgoers have broken. Many times. According to Section 12 of the 1872 Licensing Act, it is actually illegal to be found drunk in a pub. If you’re found drunk in any public place, including inside a pub, you could be fined £200. Time to think twice about ordering ‘one for the road’!

You can’t plague and ride

This is a law that draws many parallels to the Covid-19 restrictions. But while Covid laws have loosened, there are still regulations in place for other diseases. If you knowingly have the plague or a notifiable disease, it is illegal to flag down a taxi or ride the bus without first informing the driver.

You can’t beat your rug in public

Bad news for Londoners that need to beat their carpet or rug… it’s actually illegal. As of 1839, beating or shaking any carpet or rug in the street in London is against the law. Doormats, however, are a different question. You’re welcome to shake your doormat. But only if it’s before 8 am in the morning.

You can’t knock and run

Knocking on a stranger’s door and running away isn’t just an annoying prank played by kids. It is an illegal act according to UK law. Fun fact: this childhood game goes by many names including Ding Dong Ditch, Knock Knock Ginger and Nicky Nicky Nine Doors. All are apparently illegal.

You can’t walk down the street with a plank of wood

Yes, you read correctly. If you have plans to take a walk with a plank of wood sometime soon, forget about it. According to Section 54 of the Metropolitan Police District Act 1839, it’s illegal in the UK. However, there is a loophole. If you’re loading or unloading a plank of wood to or from a vehicle, it’s totally fine. Phew!

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Now that you’ve brushed up on the strangest UK laws, are you ready to save on transfers? Sign up to TransferGo today for easy, fast and affordable online money transfers.