Europe Is Destination Of Choice For Expats and Refugees

European countries are facing a huge influx of expats and migrants, according to a new report.

The United states is the world’s favourite destination, followed by Germany and UK.

Seven out of the top 10 expat destinations are in Europe – with Germany and the UK joined by France, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands and Switzerland.

Outside of Europe, Canada and Australia make up the top 10.

In Asia, Japan and South Korea rank 14 and 15.

New Zealand is 17 and Mexico, the only Central or South American country  in the listing takes the last place in the top 20.

Although refugees accounted for most of the migration, says the report International Migration Outlook 2017, from the Organisation of Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD), a trend is growing for businesses within Europe to send employees to other European Union states on local contracts.

Cross-border workers

Some 1.5 million workers were sent across EU borders in 2015, the last year figures are available for.

International students also boosted the numbers, with a record more than 1.5 residence permits issued to expats in further education.

The EU was the destination for 1.6 million families in 2015, who represented 40% of the global flow of migrants.

“Improving the integration of immigrants and their children, including refugees, is vital to delivering a more prosperous, inclusive future for all,” said OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría.

“While integration is largely a domestic issue, better cooperation at the international level is key to make the progress required and address negative perceptions against migration, which are often rooted in a misconception of the benefit that migrants can bring to recipient countries.”

Top destinations for expats and migrants

Rank	Country	Inflows of foreigners (000)	Inflow as share of population	Foreign born population (000)
1	United States	1051	0.3	43290
2	Germany	686	0.9	11453
3	United Kingdom	379	0.6	8988
4	Canada	272	0.8	7287
5	France	256	0.4	7952
6	Australia	226	0.9	6711
7	Spain	195	0.4	6109
8	Italy	161	0.3	5907
9	Netherlands	147	0.9	2057
10	Switzerland	131	1.6	2416
11	Austria	103	1.2	1595
12	Sweden	103	1.1	1676
13	Belguim	102	0.9	1877
14	Japan	82	0.1	-
15	Korea	81	0.2	-
16	Denmark	67	1.2	541
17	New Zealand	55	1.2	1108
18	Norway	54	1	772
19	Ireland	36	0.8	789
20	Mexico	34	0	1007

Source: Organisation of Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD)