Human Migration

This chart shows the ten countries with the largest foreign-born populations in 2024. The United States stands far ahead of all other countries, with over 50 million foreign-born residents, more than double the number in the next highest country, Germany, which has around 18 million. The size of the U.S. economy, its long history as a destination for immigrants, and its large overall population all contribute to this very high total.

Several large European economies appear on the list, including Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and Spain. These countries have experienced significant immigration in recent decades due to labour migration, EU freedom of movement, and refugee flows, particularly since the early 2000s. Germany’s high position partly reflects the large number of migrants admitted during the 2015–2016 refugee crisis, as well as its strong labour market attracting workers from across Europe and beyond.

The list also includes several countries in the Middle East, notably Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. In these states, a large proportion of the workforce consists of temporary migrant labourers, particularly from South Asia and Southeast Asia, employed in sectors such as construction, domestic work, and services. Although these migrants often do not receive permanent residency or citizenship, they still count as foreign-born residents in population statistics.

Canada also appears in the top ten despite its relatively small population, reflecting its immigration-focused population growth strategy and points-based immigration system designed to attract skilled workers.

Finally, Russia and Egypt are included partly because of their regional migration systems. Russia hosts large numbers of migrants from Central Asian former Soviet republics, while Egypt’s foreign-born population includes migrants and refugees from neighbouring African and Middle Eastern countries.

Overall, the chart highlights how economic opportunity, labour demand, historical migration links, and regional migration systems shape where large foreign-born populations are concentrated around the world.

This chart highlights a major shift in U.S. immigration patterns. While the United States was historically shaped by European migration, none of the top 10 foreign-born populations in 2019 come from Europe. Instead, the list is dominated by countries from Latin America and Asia.

Mexico overwhelmingly leads, reflecting geographic proximity and long-standing migration flows. Other Latin American countries such as El Salvador, Cuba, and Dominican Republic also feature prominently. Meanwhile, Asian countries like India, China, and Philippines reflect more recent waves of skilled and family-based immigration.

The absence of European countries is striking but reflects broader historical trends. Immigration from Europe declined significantly after the mid-20th century due to stricter U.S. immigration laws earlier on, followed by economic recovery and stability in Europe reducing emigration pressures.

Overall, the chart illustrates how modern U.S. immigration is far more diverse and increasingly shaped by Latin American and Asian migration, marking a clear departure from earlier European-dominated patterns.

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This map highlights a clear divide between the developed and developing world in terms of foreign-born population share. Much of the Western world—particularly countries like Australia, Canada, and parts of Western Europe—shows relatively high proportions of foreign-born residents, reflecting strong economies and long-standing immigration systems. In contrast, most developing countries have much lower shares, as they tend to be sources of migration rather than destinations.

However, the most extreme concentrations are found not in the West but in the Gulf region. Countries such as Saudi Arabia and especially Qatar stand out. Qatar is the most striking case, with approximately 76.7% of its population being foreign-born. This is driven by large-scale reliance on migrant labour for construction, energy, and services, combined with a relatively small native population.

Overall, while the Western world broadly contrasts with the developing world, the Gulf states represent a unique model where foreign-born populations dominate to an exceptional degree.

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6. US States by Foreign Born Percentage

This map shows the percentage of foreign-born residents across U.S. states and highlights a very uneven distribution of immigration within the United States. The highest percentages are concentrated in states such as California, New York, Florida, New Jersey, and Hawaii. These states have long histories of receiving immigrants and contain major cities, ports, and economic centres that attract both skilled and unskilled migrants.

Coastal states generally stand out more than much of the interior. Immigration has historically entered through major gateways such as New York on the East Coast and California on the West Coast, creating long-established communities that encourage further migration through family and economic networks.

By contrast, many states in the Midwest and parts of the South have considerably lower foreign-born shares, although some have experienced faster recent growth from a smaller base. Overall, the map reflects how immigration to the United States has tended to cluster around large metropolitan and economically dynamic regions rather than being evenly distributed across the country.