Immigration across the European Union has climbed to its highest level in history. In 2025, the number of people living in the EU who were born outside the bloc reached 64.2 million. Just to put that into perspective, the figure stood at 40 million in 2010. That is a significant rise over the past 15 years and shows how much Europe’s population has changed.
Compared to 2024, the increase was about 2.1 million people, according to a report from the Centre for Research and Analysis on Migration at RFBerlin. The findings are based on data from Eurostat and the UN Refugee Agency, making it one of the more reliable snapshots of migration trends in Europe today.
Germany the Main Destination
When it comes to absolute numbers, Germany remains the top destination for immigrants in the EU. Nearly 18 million foreign-born people now live in the country, up from 10 million in 2010. That’s an increase of around 70%, which is no small shift. According to some other reports from “Destatis“, the number of people with immigration history (including those born in Germany) in any case reached 21.8 million in 2025.
Immigrants now make up 21.2% of Germany’s population, and a large majority, about 72%, are of working age. This highlights how migration is closely tied to the labor market and economic needs.
Between 2024 and 2025, Germany’s immigrant population grew by about 300,000 people, a 1.7% increase. Interestingly, this is only about half of the EU average growth rate of 3.4%, suggesting that while Germany remains a key destination, growth is accelerating faster elsewhere.
Germany also hosts the largest number of refugees in Europe, with around 2.7 million people.
Spain Sees the Fastest Growth
While Germany leads in total numbers, Spain is currently experiencing the fastest growth. In 2024 alone, its foreign-born population increased by 700,000 people, reaching a total of 9.5 million.
That’s an 8% increase, more than double the EU average. This sharp rise reflects shifting migration patterns, with Spain becoming an increasingly attractive destination, particularly for migrants from Latin America.
Smaller Countries Face Higher Relative Impact
Looking beyond total numbers, the picture changes quite a bit. Some smaller countries are experiencing much higher levels of immigration relative to their population size.
Here’s how some EU countries compare:
| Country | Share of Immigrants in Population |
| Luxembourg | 52% |
| Malta | 32% |
| Cyprus | 28% |
| Ireland | 23% |
| Austria | 23% |
| EU Average | ~14% |
| Lithuania | Below 10% |
| Hungary | Below 10% |
| Romania | Below 10% |
| Slovakia | Below 5% |
| Bulgaria | Below 5% |
| Poland | Below 5% |
Luxembourg stands out, with immigrants making up more than half of its population. Countries like Malta and Cyprus also have high shares, showing that smaller nations often feel the impact of migration more strongly.
Asylum Applications Drop Sharply
Another key trend is the decline in asylum applications. In 2025, the EU recorded 669,365 asylum applications, which is a 26.6% decrease compared to 2024. Most applications are concentrated in a handful of countries:
- Spain
- Italy
- France
- Germany
Together, these countries account for nearly three-quarters of all applications. Even though Germany hosts the largest number of refugees overall, Cyprus has the highest share relative to its population at 4.8%. By comparison, Germany stands at 3.2%, while Italy has just 0.5%, the lowest among EU countries.
Final Thoughts
What this data clearly shows is that immigration is reshaping Europe in a major way. The numbers are growing, but the impact is not evenly shared. Some countries are seeing rapid increases, while others remain relatively unaffected.
Understanding these differences is key, not just for policymakers, but for anyone trying to make sense of how Europe is evolving today.
Files from Umer Rasib, Deststis, DW, and idw Online