In 2024, the European Union welcomed 4.2 million immigrants from non-EU countries, according to newly released data from Eurostat. The figures highlight

continued strong migration flows into the bloc, even as patterns differ widely between member states.

The data excludes asylum seekers and Ukrainians benefiting from temporary protection in some countries, due to differences in national reporting methods. Alongside arrivals from outside the EU, an additional 1.5 million people moved between EU member states during the year.

Immigration intensity varies sharply across the EU

When measured against population size, immigration into the EU amounted to 9.2 non-EU immigrants per 1,000 residents in 2024. However, smaller countries once again recorded the highest relative inflows.

Malta topped the list, with 60 immigrants per 1,000 residents, followed by Cyprus (42) and Luxembourg (38). These figures reflect the outsized impact migration can have on nations with relatively small populations.

At the other end of the scale, Slovakia recorded the lowest immigration rate, with just 1 immigrant per 1,000 residents. It was followed by France (6), while Italy, Latvia, Bulgaria, and Poland each reported around 8 immigrants per 1,000 residents.

Most immigrants came from outside the EU

In nearly every EU country, immigrants arriving from outside the bloc outnumbered those moving from other EU states. The only exceptions were Luxembourg, where 85.5% of immigrants came from other EU countries, and Romania, where the share stood at 56.0%.

By contrast, the highest proportions of non-EU immigrants were observed in Czechia (87.0%), Italy (86.2%), and Spain (84.5%), underscoring the continued importance of external migration for population growth and labour supply across much of the EU.

A complex migration picture

The latest figures underline how unevenly migration affects EU member states, shaped by geography, labour demand, and national policies. While overall immigration remains high, the balance between EU and non-EU migration continues to vary sharply, offering policymakers fresh evidence as debates on migration management and integration persist across the continent. Photo by NPPyzixBlan~commonswiki , Wikimedia commons.