Immigrant Population in European Union Hits Record High in 2025

Kathmandu. The number of immigrants residing in the European Union (EU) reached a record level in 2025. According to a new study, the total number of immigrants has reached 64.2 million, an increase of approximately 2.1 million compared to the previous year. 

This report was published by the Centre for Research and Analysis on Migration, utilizing data from Eurostat and the United Nations refugee agency. In 2010, this figure was only about 40 million.

Germany remains the country with the largest immigrant population, hosting approximately 18 million foreigners. Of these, 72 percent are in the working-age group. 

Spain has seen the most rapid growth recently, with an addition of 700,000, bringing the total immigrant population to 9.5 million. According to the study's author, Tommaso Frattini, Germany is the primary destination for immigrants in Europe, both in terms of population proportion and total numbers.

However, the distribution of migration appears uneven across the EU. Smaller countries like Luxembourg, Malta, and Cyprus have a very high share of immigrants relative to their population. 

Refugee applications also appear concentrated in certain countries. Spain, Italy, France, and Germany together account for about three-quarters of all refugee applications. Germany alone hosts 2.7 million immigrants.