In this high-level dialogue, the Spanish Minister of Migration, Inclusion, and Social Security Jose Luis Escriva and renowned economist and LaMP’s Research Director Lant Pritchett discussed the role of labor mobility in an era defined by twin demographic crises: rapid aging in high-income countries, and growing youth populations in low-income countries. Lant Pritchett overviewed the enormous economic potential of filling critical labor shortages in high-income countries with workers from low-income countries. Minister Escriva discussed how his government has found politically viable solutions to unlock labor mobility, and where they see potential to go further.

Launched by the Italian Center for International Development and the World Bank’s Rome Jobs and Labor Mobility Center, the Rome Dialogues on Jobs and Migration are a platform for open exchange on practical, evidence-based solutions which improve the job outcomes of cross-border labor mobility. This Rome Dialog was co-sponsored by the Spanish Ministry of Migration, Inclusion, and Social Security.