Migration to developed countries declines for second year: OECD

PARIS – Migration to developed countries dwindled for a second year in a row in 2025, down 1.6% compared with the previous year, according to an OECD report published on Nov 12.While still experiencing high numbers, the 38 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries recorded 6.1 million new permanent immigrants in 2025, compared with 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% in 2025 compared with 2024, the report found. Labour migration increased by 13%.While 2025 marked an overall decline in migration, the number of permanent immigrants settling for the long term was up 12% compared with 2019.Three countries recorded a notable spike in permanent migrants in 2025.Portugal saw a 139% increase to 313,600 individuals, resulting from approvals of a backlog of pending residency permits.Spain saw a 25% increase to 460,500 people, notably after having broadened its residency policies.Italy saw a 45% 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 14% drop, although it still leads OECD countries recording more than 1.2 million permanent migrants in 2025.Canada saw a 19% decrease to 393,800 people, and the United Kingdom a 32% decline to 295,800 people. AFP