PARIS: Migration to developed countries dwindled for a second year in a row in 2025, down 1.6pc compared to the previous year, according to an OECD report published on Thursday.
While still experiencing high numbers, the 38 Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries recorded 6.1 million new permanent immigrants in 2025, compared to 6.2m 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 26pc in 2025 compared with 2024, the report found. Labour migration increased by 13pc.
Permanent migration fell 14pc in US, 19pc in Canada and 32pc in UK last year
While 2025 marked an overall decline in migration, the number of permanent immigrants settling for the long term was up 12pc compared with 2019.
Three countries recorded a notable spike in permanent migrants in 2025.
Portugal saw a 139pc increase to 313,600 individuals, resulting from approvals of a backlog of pending residency permits. Spain saw a 25pc increase to 460,500 people, notably after having broadened its residency policies.
Italy saw a 45pc increase to 248,800 people, largely attributed to a flux of family and labour migration.
Other countries saw significant declines in permanent migrants.
The United States saw a 14pc drop, although it still leads OECD countries, recording more than 1.2m permanent migrants in 2025.
Canada saw a 19pc decrease to 393,800 people, and the United Kingdom a 32pc decline to 295,800 people.
Asylum seekers down
India remained the leading country of origin for migratory flows to the OECD in 2024, ahead of China and Colombia, according to the latest available figures.
The 1.1m asylum applications in 2025 marked a 22pc decrease to OECD countries, excluding the United States, compared with the previous year, although remaining about 10pc higher than 2019 figures.
Men continue to account for the majority of migratory flows to OECD countries.
According to the latest available data from 2024, women accounted for about 46pc of new immigrants.
The OECD countries that admitted significantly more women than men were the United States and Ireland with 54pc female immigrants, Sweden with 53pc, and Israel, Chile, Australia and New Zealand with 52pc.
Migration poses an opportunity to boost long-term productivity in many countries, particularly in the face of ageing populations, the OECD noted.
“With the OECD working-age population set to decrease by 8pc by 2060, pushing overall growth downwards, reviving productivity growth is key to maintaining living standards,” said Mark Pearson, the OECD’s acting director of Employment, Labour and Social Affairs.
Published in Dawn, November 13th, 2026
