Immigration — European Union · Synthesis
A region of net immigration, shaped by the Schengen area, the asylum crises (2015) and the massive reception of Ukrainian refugees (2022), with a new Pact on Migration and Asylum that is much debated.
Citoyen synthesis for the Immigration category in the European Union. Grounded in the bloc's data (Eurostat, Frontex, IOM, UNHCR). ⚠️ Aggregate of 27 member states with highly variable policies and flows. All values are the latest realized observation available — never a forecast. Data last updated: June 2026.
1. State of play — where immigration stands in the EU
A region of net immigration. The EU is overall a region of net immigration; the share of people born outside the EU is of the order of 9-12% depending on the scope (Eurostat), in addition to strong internal mobility (EU citizens).
The Schengen area. Free movement within the Schengen area (without internal border controls) is a major achievement, which shifts the stakes towards the common external border (Frontex).
Asylum crises. The EU experienced the 2015 asylum crisis (Syria) and then, since 2022, the massive reception of Ukrainian refugees (temporary protection activated for the first time) — a reception unprecedented in its speed.
A debated Migration Pact. The Pact on Migration and Asylum (adopted in 2024) reforms asylum management and solidarity between members — a compromise that is much politically debated.
Variable policies. ⚠️ Migration, reception and integration policies vary widely between members; the average masks these differences.
“The EU is a region of net immigration, structured by the Schengen area of free movement.”
2. Outlook — where immigration is heading
Implementation of the Pact. The implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum (solidarity, border procedures) is the central issue.
Labour immigration. Faced with shortages and ageing (cf. Labour and Health categories), legal labour immigration is a debated lever.
Integration. The integration of immigrants and refugees (employment, cf. dedicated indicator) is a cohesion issue (cf. Social cohesion category).
The open questions. Three issues will shape the period: (1) the migration Pact; (2) labour immigration; (3) integration.
“The reception of millions of Ukrainian refugees since 2022 has been unprecedented in its speed.”
3. International comparison — the EU among its peers
Placed in its environment, the EU is a region of net immigration endowed with a unique area of free movement.
Three takeaways. (1) Share of immigrants: ≈ 9-12%. Comparable to the United Kingdom, below the United States (≈ 15%) and Canada (≈ 23%).
(2) Schengen. Internal free movement and the common external border are unmatched.
(3) Variable policies. ⚠️ Reception and integration differ widely between members.
International comparison — immigration
| Economy | Share of immigrants | Specificity | Framework |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | ≈ 23% | selective | points |
| United States | ≈ 15% | melting pot | federal |
| United Kingdom | ≈ 14% | post-Brexit | points |
| Germany | ≈ 18% | labour, refugees | integration |
| European Union | ≈ 9-12% | Schengen | Migration Pact |
Sources: Eurostat, IOM, UNHCR, OECD — latest realized values available. "≈" denotes a rounding.
Data mobilized (data-journalism base)
| Data | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Share born outside the EU | ≈ 9-12% | Eurostat (Citoyen chart) |
| Free movement | Schengen area | European Commission |
| Ukrainian refugees | temporary protection (2022) | UNHCR / Eurostat |
| Framework | Migration and Asylum Pact (2024) | European Commission |
| Policies | ⚠️ variable (members) | analyses |
Sources (references)
Eurostat · Frontex · IOM · UNHCR · OECD.
Methodological note — the synthesis keeps sourced facts distinct from assessments, stays neutral, dates each figure, and does not extrapolate beyond the sources. ⚠️ Aggregate of 27 member states; highly variable policies and flows. The share of immigrants depends on the scope used (born outside the EU vs born abroad including other EU countries). Latest realized observation available (no forecast). Note generated by AI, human review required.