"A world of free movement could be $78 trillion richer"

Only that much? I heard it would be $9999 trillion richer every month.

For the mere price of only 13% of the third world moving to Europe, this sounds like a great opportunity. Nothing can possibly go wrong.

What happens when those 13% of people move. They develop a similar culture from where they came from at their destination. Then what happens? The people back home see there is a similar culture at a better place, and so more move. And more. And more.

I love how everyone seems to think everyone would all automatically flood to Europe. Does it not occur to people that maybe someone from say Mongolia would be more comfortable in Japan or South Korea? That maybe people from Cambodia would move to Australia? That people from Somalia would happily settle in Morocco?

I find it impossible to believe that only 13% of Indians/Mexicans/Africans would want to emigrate to the US/UK/EU given the chance.

Do you not realise how arrogant you sound?

Probably because those countries don't operate open borders policies and enforced their existing entry standards. Doesn't take a genius to see why people make these assumptions, which are less pie in the sky than those made by The Economist.

Yes you're right. It's definitely a cultural thing.

The whole "taking jobs" idea isnt about being willing to be paid less, it's about a)brits are too lazy and b) not qualified for jobs that are out of their skill range.

I used to work alongside seasonal immigrant workers on a farm. They worked bloody hard for minimum wage, whilst living in portacabins. However, the payback was that they could go back to their home country at the end of the season with enough money saved up that they wouldn't have to work for several months. That's an entirely different employment paradigm to someone who wants to live permanently in the UK. Rather than criticising Brits at every available opportunity, I'd suggest you think a little more about the effect large pools of cheap labour have on wages.

Well, I'd love to hear some of your opinions using this great unfaulterred economics knowledge that you indirectly brandish and flaunt around like some high-brow trophy. Please, educate us oh educated one.

So then the countries will reach an equilibrium. Why is that such a terrible thing?

With that attitude im afraid you're of to the headmaster's office.

No, seriously, read a book.

Why do you feel the need to make a personal attack rather than contributing to the discussion?

I'm not making a personal attack, I'm saying that your assumption that nobody in a developing country would think twice about dropping everything to immigrate to your country is extremely arrogant, which it is. If we're on the topic of not contributing to the discussion, I'd like you to explain how your post was constructive, given that you've not provided any evidence or explanation as to what factual basis you're basing your claim on that the 13% figure is inaccurate. What part of Gallup's methodology do you take issue with?

We have over 55 million white British people in the UK. The total population of already 75 million. We have an extreme population problem, our population density is 395 people per square/km. That's almost double China btw. The problems are exacerbated by the welfare state.

By equilibrium, I assume you mean an immigrant:non-immigrant ratio of 50:50 ish. To reach this we would need to bring in around 20-30 million more immigrants, or decrease the white population by 20-30 million (and that's not happening). We simply can't do this with a resounding welfare state and already huge population issues.

By equilibrium I mean a point where it is as desirable to live anywhere in the world.

Oh well, of course, I want to reach equilibrium. But in my view, free movement is far from the answer. Some countries, especially countries with population issues like the UK, NEED strict immigration laws... and thank god we do. If free movement was allowed, the UK would almost certainly be worse off.

I find it impossible to believe that only 13% of Indians/Mexicans/Africans would want to emigrate to the US/UK/EU given the chance.