Top 10 Immigration-Friendly Countries + Latest Data Up to 2024
Key democratic countries witnessed unprecedented levels of immigration in 2022, according to a report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), a forum of 38 developed countries focused on economic growth.
Approximately 6 million permanent migrants arrived in OECD member countries in 2022 – excluding Ukrainian refugees – marking the highest level for the OECD since at least 2005. Preliminary data for 2023 also indicates a further increase, according to the organization’s report.
These data, highlighted in a report published by the forum in late 2023, present the latest annual and long-term migration statistics available by country, as well as an overview of long-term migration trends across OECD countries, a group that includes many of the world’s wealthiest nations.
Below are the 10 OECD member countries with the most permanent migrants in 2022 – a term used by the OECD to describe migrants intending to stay permanently in the destination country – along with a comparison of their numbers from 2021, based on the organization’s estimates.
Table of Permanent Migrants in OECD Countries in 2022
| Rank | Country | Permanent Migrants in 2022 | Percentage Change from 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | 1,048,000 | 25.5% |
| 2 | Germany | 641,100 | 20.6% |
| 3 | United Kingdom | 521,200 | 35.1% |
| 4 | Spain | 471,800 | 27.4% |
| 5 | Canada | 437,500 | 7.8% |
| 6 | France | 301,100 | 8.3% |
| 7 | Italy | 271,600 | 12.6% |
| 8 | Netherlands | 207,500 | 21.4% |
| 9 | Australia | 166,100 | -1.9% |
| 10 | New Zealand | 154,700 | 337.4% |
Conclusion
An examination of migration data for 2022 shows that OECD member countries have experienced a significant increase in the number of permanent migrants. The United States leads the list by attracting over one million permanent migrants, followed by Germany and the United Kingdom. These figures reflect important trends in population movement and economic opportunities in the destination countries. Additionally, the substantial increase in migrants to countries like New Zealand indicates the growing attractiveness of these countries to migrants. Overall, these data underscore the importance of immigration policies and their impact on the economies of these countries.
