The number of foreign-born people living in the EU reached a record 64.2 million in 2025, a report released Wednesday found. That compares with about 40 million in 2010 and represents an increase of roughly 2.1 million from 2024, according to the Centre for Research and Analysis on Migration at RFBerlin. The study draws on Eurostat and UN Refugee Agency data.
Germany remains the largest host country, with nearly 18 million foreign-born residents—up from about 10 million in 2010, a rise of roughly 70%. The report notes that immigrants make up some 21.2% of Germany’s population, and 72% of them are of working age. Germany’s foreign-born population grew by about 300,000 between 2024 and 2025, a 1.7% increase, roughly half the EU average growth rate of 3.4%. Germany also hosts the largest number of refugees in absolute terms, with about 2.7 million.
Spain recorded the fastest recent growth: its foreign-born population rose by around 700,000 in 2024 to reach 9.5 million, an 8% increase—more than double the EU average.
Relative shares vary widely across member states. Luxembourg tops the list, with immigrants making up roughly 52% of its population, well above the EU average of about 14%. Malta follows at about 32% and Cyprus at 28%. Ireland and Austria each record relatively high shares near 23%. By contrast, Lithuania, Hungary and Romania all register immigrant shares below 10%, while Slovakia, Bulgaria and Poland show the lowest levels, each below 5%.
Asylum applications fell sharply in 2025, totaling 669,365 across the EU—a 26.6% decline from 2024. Spain, Italy, France and Germany accounted for nearly three-quarters of those applications. Although Germany has the largest refugee population in absolute numbers, Cyprus has the highest share of refugees relative to its population at 4.8%. Germany’s relative share is about 3.2%, while Italy has the smallest relative share at roughly 0.5%.
Edited by: Sean Sinico