The Effects Of Economic Crises On The Size And Structure Of Migrator Flows

International migration is an integral part of the global economy. Growing disparities in development, the global jobs crisis, the segmentation of labor markets, revolutions in transport and communications and a burgeoning migration industry combine to explain why there are unprecedented numbers of migrants worldwide today. International migration is a widespread phenomenon in the European Union, characterized not only by large immigration flows from outside its borders, but also by migration from one member state to another. During economic recessions generated by either the 2008-2009 economic-financial crisis or the Covid-19 pandemic, immigrants are often the most vulnerable category of people, which can lead to changes in the volume, structure and direction of international migration flows. The last two major crises at the beginning of the 21st century have had significant implications for migrants, migration and migration policies. At the same time, the very different global/European context and circumstances of the financial crisis and the health crisis determine different consequences for migrants, differentiated changes in the structure and dimensions of migratory flows, but also different compartments of migrants. The paper presents a comparative analysis of the economic and social impact of the 2008-2009 recession and the health crisis on the size, structure of migratory flows and the behavior of migrants in the European Union.