"OECD countries are facing an unprecedented refugee crisis. In 2014, more than 800,000 asylum applications were recorded, an historical high, but the figure for 2015 is expected to be even higher," the report said.
Of the 800,000 asylum claims in 2014, 600,000 were submitted in Europe. Approximately 137,000 migrants have come ashore in Greece, Malta, Italy, and Spain in the first six months of 2015, most reportedly intending to continue to Germany and Scandinavia.
Germany has been consolidating its role as a key migrants destination, second only to the United States. Other major destinations are Sweden, Italy, France, and Turkey, according to the report.
"Even in the current context of the humanitarian crisis, a global policy strategy is needed, which has the right tools – and international co-ordination – to deal with current and future refugees and asylum seekers flows," the OECD reported.
The 34-member group suggested host countries must focus on integrating immigrants and their children into national society, and urged for consensus among EU countries in addressing urgent needs.
The ongoing migrant crisis in Europe has exposed deep divisions within the bloc after several European countries refused mandatory asylum seeker distribution quotas for EU member states.
