Key EU Migratory Statistics

KEY EU MIGRATORY STATISTICS

 Text prepared: July 2011

0. DISCLAIMER

The Data here have been provided by the European Migration Network (EMN) and, to the best of its knowledge, is as reliable as possible. The European Commission and the National Contact Points, who collectively constitute the EMN, accept no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to the use made of the data contained in this Note.

1. EXPLANATORY NOTE

The statistics below are intended to give a "snapshot" of Key EU migratory figures" for the EU-27 as a whole and one should note that wide variations on a particular parameter exist between the Member States. The numbers given here, except for asylum, have thus been rounded. More precise data may be obtained from the sources given below.

The data are principally extracted from the European Commission's Eurostat (see http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page/portal/statistics/search_database, select "Population and Social Conditions" then "Population" then "International Migration and Asylum"). Should specific data on a particular Member State be required, then please consult either the EMN's Annual Reports on Migration and International Protection Statistics or the aforementioned Eurostat database.

2. OVERVIEW OF KEY EU MIGRATORY STATISTICS

EU demographic perspectives

•  The EU-27 population is projected to increase from 501 million on 1 January 2010 to 525 million in 2035, to peak at 526 million around 2040, and thereafter gradually decline to 517 million in 2060.
•  The EU-27 population is also projected to continue to grow older, with the share of the population aged 65 years and over rising from 17% in 2010 to 30% in 2060, and those aged 80 and over rising from 5% to 12% over the same period.
• Whereas in 2010 there were 3.5 persons of working age (20-64) for every person aged 65 or over, in 2060 the ratio is expected to decrease to be 1.7 to 1.
•  Migration is the main driver of population change in the EU. In 2009, net migration to the EU was 857 000, i.e. 63% of total population growth.

Migration and integration

• In 2010, of the total 501 million population in the EU-27, some 20.1 million were citizens of a non-EU27 country (4% of the total population).
• The largest numbers of third-country nationals in the EU as a whole are from Turkey (approx. 2.4million), Morocco (approx. 1.8million) and Albania (approx. 1million).
• Two million first residence permits were issued to third country nationals in the EU in 2009, 8% less than in the previous year. The number of permits issued for remunerated activities represented 24% of the total number of permits issued in 2009, against 27% for family reasons, 22% for study and another 27% for various other reasons (protection-related, residence without the right to work, etc).
• In 2009, 776 000 persons acquired citizenship of an EU27 Member State. These new citizens came mainly from Africa (29% of the total number of citizenships acquired), Asia (24%), non-EU27 Europe (22%), North and South America (15%).

Asylum

• In 2010, EU Member States recorded 257 815 asylum applications, a slight decrease of 3% from 2009 when the number was 266 400. While Poland, Italy, Hungary and Malta received less asylum seekers in 2010 than in 2009, significant increases were recorded in Germany, Belgium and Sweden.
• In 2010, the most important countries of citizenship of asylum seekers in the EU were, in order: Afghanistan (20 580), Russia (18 500), Serbia (17 715, excluding Kosovo), Iraq (15 800) and Somalia (14 350).
• In 2010, 55 095 asylum seekers received a protection status in the EU at first instance (refugee, subsidiary protection or humanitarian). Protection was therefore granted in around 25% of decisions taken in first-instance procedures.
• In 2009, 7 147 refugees were resettled in the EU from third countries. The figure for 2010 was [until Q3] around 3 848.
• Provisional figures for 2010, indicate that around 10 700 unaccompanied minors applied for asylum, slightly less than in 2009 (around 11 000).

Visas

• In 2010, around 11 million "C" (aka Schengen) visas, including for multiple entry and permitting stays of up to three months, were issued by the Schengen States (CH, IS, NO plus EU-27 except for BG, CY, IE, RO, UK). CH, IS and NO constituted around 500 000 of this total.
• The number of "D" visas, for stays exceeding three months, issued by the Schengen States in 2010 was around one million. CH, IS and NO constituted around 44 000 of this total.
• Corresponding figures for BG, CY and RO were around 800 000 "C" visas and around 17 000 "D" visas. Data for IE and UK are not available.

Irregular immigration and return

• Provisional figures for 2010 indicate that around 394 00 persons were refused entry.
• In 2010, 63% (i.e. about 20 000 detections) of illegal border-crossings into the EU were detected in 3Q2010 at the Greek/Turkey land border.
• Provisional figures for 2010 indicate that the number of irregularly staying third country nationals apprehended in the EU-27 was around 520 000 (less than in 2009 which was around 570 000).
• Provisional figures for 2010 indicate that Member States returned around 230 000 third country nationals (slightly less than in 2009 when it was around 250 000).