The rapid growth of Europe's refugee population has come to an end. Drawing on new UNHCR data, this report shows how falling asylum inflows, the naturalisation of earlier refugee cohorts in Germany, and a reform of temporary protection in Italy are reshaping refugee numbers.
The EU hosts a record 64 million foreign-born residents, with migration continuing to grow strongly, though unevenly across countries. While Germany and Spain dominate in absolute numbers, smaller Member States often face greater relative pressure.
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.
