How Migration Really Works: 22 things you need to know about the most divisive issue in politics

Authoritative and myth-busting, this is the one book you need to read to understand why we’ve been wrong about migration

Global migration is not at an all-time high.

Climate change will not lead to mass migration.

Immigration mainly benefits the wealthy, not workers.

Border restrictions have paradoxically produced more migration.

These statements might sound counter-intuitive or just outright wrong - but the facts behind the headlines reveal a completely different story to the ones we're told about migration. In this ground-breaking and revelatory book, based on more than three decades of research, leading expert Professor Hein de Haas explodes myths espoused by both left and right that politicians, interest groups and media regularly spread about migration.

Comparing trends and perspectives from Western 'destination countries' (UK, US and Europe) as well as 'origin countries' in Asia, Africa and Latin America, de Haas equips readers with essential knowledge on migration based on the best evidence and data, showing migration not as a problem to be solved, nor as a solution to a problem, but as it really is.

Above all, How Migration Really Works offers a new vision of migration based on facts rather than fears, and a paradigm-altering understanding of this perennially important subject.

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'A careful, balanced, and convincing take on one of the most divisive issues of our age. Backed by masses of data, Hein de Haas challenges much of what we think is obvious about migration, systematically busting myths and exposing propaganda from all across the political spectrum' ― Ian Morris, author of Why The West Rules – For Now

'A book that will force Left and Right alike to reconsider old assumptions . . . [De Haas's]insights hold the key to effective migration policy . . . An important book, which should become a standard textbook for anyone seeking to have a real impact on migration' ―  Baroness Arminka Helic, The Telegraph

'A powerful debunking of myths about global migration, and an indictment of the political dishonesty that generates them . . . a clear and rigorous corrective that aims to give the general reader the tools for a more informed debate in future'  ― Guardian

'Fact-filled, well-argued and authoritatively written . . . There is much to commend in this book, which effortlessly summarises decades of social science research on migration . . . De Haas has written a valuable book that, whatever one’s views on immigration, will challenge many of the reader’s idées reçues and leave them better informed' ― Yuan Yi Zhu, The Times