At the beginning of the 21st Century, the total number of persons living outside of their countries of origin worldwide was estimated at over 150 million, of which the ILO counts some 100 million as migrant workers and their families. According to ILO estimates, Africa has among the largest numbers of migrant workers, 20 million, one-fifth of the global total. There are some 30 across Europe -East and West--, 18 million in North America, 12 million in Central and South America, 9 million in the Middle East, and 7 million in South and East Asia.