Gallup’s Potential Net Migration Index isn’t good news for Seoul, Hong Kong, or any underdeveloped state. “About 700 million people worldwide want to migrate permanently.” A non-trivial percentage of them are South Korean, resulting in a net loss of 8%.

But, don’t tell The Korea Herald about that. In a triumph of spin, Asia‘s gain is South Korea’s, too.

A new poll shows that Korea is in the second tier of the most desired destinations for those that want to migrate to another country.

The Gallup poll shows that between 5 million and 25 million people consider Korea their top desired destination country to migrate to. The group also includes Japan and Russia, among others.

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On the flip side, people living in Asian countries have the least desire to migrate internationally. Only 10 percent of the population said they would like to move permanently to another country.

Not to trample on anyone’s dream, too, but a 219% increase in immigrants rushing into Singapore would turn the tiny island city-state into a logistical mess. But, that’s just one problem with this Gallup poll on the groundless dreaming of a random sample of possible immigrants about their destination preferences. Just what the natives think – and do – when aspiring citizens come knocking is grist for another poll entirely.

Filed under: Immigration, Polls, South Korea (ROK) Tagged: gallup, hong kong, singapore, the korea herald