Europe is the World’s Top Migration Destination

Three million people a year migrate from developing countries to industrialized nations, a population research group announced 21 August in its annual findings. Almost half of these migrants – 1.4 million people – move to Europe, though the continent is still facing unprecedented population losses from low birth rates. Italy is the world’s second most popular destination for migrants – behind the United States (+ 1,005,016) – and the top European destination with a net migration of +294,950 migrants a year. Spain is next on the list with a net migration of +282,168, the United Kingdom is fifth with a net migration of +223,145. Other European countries rounding out the top ten are Russia (eight place) and Germany (tenth place) – with a net migration of +106,183 and + 98,864 respectively. The United Arab Emirates – the only Middle East country represented in the top ten gainers – ranks fourth with a net migration of +264,623. The report is produced by the Population Reference Bureau, a Washington research group. The Bureau compiles its annual World Population Data Sheet using information from local governments, the United Nations and international aid organisations. By 2050, the UN estimates that Europe, home to about 730 million people, will shrink by 75 million.