Referring to the United Nations, refugees “are persons fleeing armed conflict or persecution”.

Migrants “choose to move not because of a direct threat of persecution or death, but mainly to improve their lives by finding work, or in some cases for education, family reunion, or other reasons”.

Therefore there is a stark difference between the two, in that refugees are forced to move because of war and conflict, and due to the fact that their original home, or place of residence is no longer safe to live anymore. The migrants are choosing to move out of their own will, in order to hopefully find a better life for themselves.

In very basic terms the broad definition of a migrant is someone who chooses to move. A refugee however, is someone who is forced to move. Often this is due to political upheaval in their native country and refugees move to escape violence or other forms of persecution and they seek safety and protection.

Migrants are those who choose to move between countries and often plan their future. Their motivation can be personal or economic, however there are different driving factors and some are more serious than others. Often, although countries might not be under threat, there could be economic factors which essentially force migrants to make a decision to leave their homeland. Some might be educated such as teachers or doctors yet, in their own country, the financial rewards are few and keeps their standard of living relatively low. A migrant move under such circumstances would not be considered to be a forced move, but it is essential to those involved who want to maintain an acceptable quality of life.

Another form of migrant is less frequently seen but does still exist. The political migrant might wish to move due to political policies which discriminate against certain groups or political opponents. The migrant is not therefore always involved in politics but is directly affected by political policy.

A migrant is someone who moves to a new country for new opportunities, such as work and education, or to be nearer to their family. A migrant may also move to a new country for opportunities for their children. They may also move for better climates or scenery. Basically, a migrant is someone who moves to a new country because they want to do so, for whatever variety of reasons.

On the other hand, a refugee is someone who is fleeing to a new country to escape a war, conflict, or persecution in their old country. A refugee is forced to leave their country due to violence; essentially, they cannot stay in their home country for fear for their lives. Refugees often come to a new country desperately needing help or aid.

While many people do not recognize the differences between migrants and refugees, they are very different. Migrants generally move because they want to, refugees flee because they have to.

Migrant - a person who moves from one place to another in order to find work or better living conditions.

Refugee - a person who has been forced to leave their country in order to escape war, violence, persecution or natural disaster. A refugee has a well-founded fear of persecution because of race, religion, nationality or political opinion. In many cases, they can't return home or are afraid to do so.

Source: https://www.unrefugees.org/refugee-facts/what-is-a-refugee/

So, difference is that migrant isn't forced to move, it is his/her free will to do it, and refugee is forced for the sake of saving life by horrific event that is happening in their country.

Migrant is someone that chooses to move in other country so he could find a job, start a new life, or simply becuse he wants to live somewhere else. On the other side, refugee is a person who is forced to leave its home beacuse of the war or some other danger threatening his life or health.