New analysis shows foreign-born population jumped from 40 million in 2010, with continued high annual growth across the bloc.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
A newly released study reports that the number of migrants living across the European Union reached a record 64.2 million in 2025, marking a significant rise over the past decade and a half.
The findings, compiled by the Centre for Research and Analysis on Migration at RFBerlin using data from Eurostat and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, show the foreign-born population has grown from roughly 40 million in 2010 to more than 64 million in 2025. The increase reflects both long-term migration patterns and recent displacement trends.
According to the report, the EU’s migrant population rose by approximately 2.1 million between 2024 and 2025, a figure described as high by historical standards despite being slightly lower than the previous year’s increase. The study states, “Immigration in the European Union (EU) has reached historically high levels. Over the past fifteen years, the EU’s foreign-born population has expanded substantially, reflecting both long-term migration trends and major recent displacement episodes.”
Germany continues to serve as the primary destination for migrants, with its foreign-born population growing from around 10 million in 2018 to nearly 18 million in 2025. Spain recorded the fastest recent growth, adding roughly 700,000 migrants in 2025 alone to reach a total of about 9.5 million. The report notes that Spain accounted for roughly one-third of the EU’s total increase in foreign-born residents during that year.
The study also examined asylum trends, finding that 669,365 applications were filed across the EU in 2026, representing a 26.6% decrease compared to 2024 levels. Germany, Spain, Italy, and France together accounted for nearly three-quarters of all asylum claims.
Country-specific data showed distinct patterns in applicants’ origins. In Germany, 53% of first-time applicants came from Afghanistan, Syria, and Turkey. Spain saw 60% of applicants arriving from Venezuela and 11% from Mali. Italy’s applicants were largely from Bangladesh, Peru, Egypt, and Pakistan, while France reported a broader mix, including Ukraine, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Afghanistan, and Haiti, which together made up 36% of applicants.
Germany also hosts the largest refugee population within the EU at approximately 2.7 million. By contrast, Cyprus has the highest refugee share relative to its population, while Italy records one of the lowest proportions.
Tommaso Frattini, one of the study’s authors, said in comments to Reuters, “Germany remains the main destination for migrants in Europe, both in absolute terms and, to a significant extent, relative to its population.”
The report highlights that migration patterns remain uneven across the EU, with certain countries experiencing significantly higher concentrations of foreign-born residents relative to their overall population size.
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