The EU refugee population rose from about 1 million in 2014 to 7.8 million in 2024, driven by Syria and then the larger post-2022 Ukraine inflow. Germany remains the main host, but growth has been faster and uneven across countries, increasing pressure on asylum systems.
Employment in the EU has risen for all groups. EU migrants have the highest rates, non-EU migrants have improved but still lag, mainly due to lower employment among non-EU women, while men’s rates are similar across groups.
Tertiary education among EU migrants has risen steadily, with EU migrants nearing native levels and non-EU migrants closing the gap. Differences remain across countries and groups, with women generally more educated than men.
The EU’s foreign-born population reached over 63 million in 2024 (14.1%), driven by non-EU inflows and post-2022 surges. Germany remains the main destination, with most immigrants of working age and uneven distribution across countries.
Attitudes towards immigration have evolved considerably across Europe over the past two decades, with important differences across countries and population groups. Views vary particularly by age and education, with younger and more highly educated Europeans generally expressing more positive attitudes towards immigration.
