PARIS: Migration to developed countries dwindled for a second year in a row in 2025, down 1.6 percent compared to the previous year, according to an OECD report published Thursday.
While still experiencing high numbers, the 38 Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries recorded 6.1 million new permanent immigrants in 2025, compared to 6.2 million the previous year.
There has been a backlash in many Western countries against the arrival of irregular migrants fleeing conflict, authoritarian rule and economic hardship in their home countries.
Legal humanitarian migration dropped “sharply” by 26 percent in 2025 compared with 2024, the report found. Labour migration increased by 13 percent.
While 2025 marked an overall decline in migration, the number of permanent immigrants settling for the long term was up 12 percent compared with 2019.
Three countries recorded a notable spike in permanent migrants in 2025.
Portugal saw a 139-percent increase to 313,600 individuals, resulting from approvals of a backlog of pending residency permits.
Spain saw a 25-percent increase to 460,500 people, notably after having broadened its residency policies.
Italy saw a 45-percent increase to 248,800 people, largely attributed to a flux of family and labor migration.
Other countries saw significant declines in permanent migrants.
The United States saw a 14-percent drop, although it still leads OECD countries, recording more than 1.2…
