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Migration routes and dynamics between the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), and between LAC and the European Union

Thematic Area
Migration Data
Year
2012
Country
Central America
Language
Spanish

Migration flows between the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) and between the European Union (EU) are not new. The first dates from the late 15th century mainly in a north-south direction, that is, from Europe to the Americas. This process continued until the 1950s, when LAC changed from a destination region to a region of origin for international migrants. This trend continues to this day; during the first decade of the 21st century there were even very high levels of extraregional emigration from LAC, in particular towards the United States and Spain, the latter country was consolidated as the second destination country for LAC emigrants.