A group of people of different ages and ethnic backgrounds.

In 2023, 4.3 million people immigrated to the EU from non-EU countries. This figure does not include asylum seekers and/or refugees from Ukraine under temporary protection for some countries (see the methodological note). Additionally, 1.5 million people migrated between EU countries. Compared with 2022, the number of people who immigrated to the EU decreased by 17.9%, down from 5.3 million, while the number of people migrating between EU countries remained stable at 1.5 million.

This information comes from data on immigration published by Eurostat today. This article presents a selection of findings from the more detailed Statistics Explained article on migration to and from the EU.

In total, there was an estimated 10 immigrants from non-EU countries per 1 000 residents in the EU in 2023. 

Relative to the size of the resident population, Malta recorded the highest rate of immigration from EU and non-EU countries in 2023 (76 immigrants per 1 000 residents), followed by Cyprus (43) and Luxembourg (40). 

By contrast, Slovakia registered the lowest rate of immigration, with 1 immigrant per 1 000 residents, followed by France (6) and Italy (7). 

Immigrants, 2023, per 1000 inhabitants. Chart. See link to the full dataset below.

Source datasets: migr_imm8 and demo_pjan

Highest share of immigrants from other EU countries in Luxembourg, lowest in Czechia

In nearly all EU countries, the total number of immigrants from outside the EU in 2023 was higher than the number of immigrants from other EU countries. The only exceptions were Luxembourg (with 85.7% of immigrants from other EU countries) and Slovakia (57.5%). 

The highest proportions of immigrants from countries outside the EU were recorded in Czechia (89.2%), Lithuania (88.9%) and Ireland (87.2%).

immigrants by previous country of residence, 2023, %. Chart. See link tot he full dataset below.

Source dataset: migr_imm1ctz

For more information

Methodological notes

  •  Guidance on the inclusion of refugees from Ukraine who benefit from temporary protection in the EU in the usually resident population: persons from Ukraine granted temporary protection based on the Commission’s Temporary Protection Directive should be counted as part of the usually resident population. Based on this, those who arrived from Ukraine and were granted temporary protection during the year – and who are believed to still be present at the end of the year – should be counted as immigrants during the year and as part of the migrant stock at the end of the reference period.
  • Poland, Slovakia, Sweden and Liechtenstein did not include refugees from Ukraine who benefit from temporary protection in their population and migration statistics. Bulgaria, Czechia, Denmark, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Finland, Sweden, Iceland, Liechtenstein did not include asylum seekers usually resident for at least 12 months.

If you have any queries, please visit our contact us page.