In 2020, Europe saw a significant increase in its international migrant population, rising by nearly 16% from 75 million in 2015 to 87 million. Among these, over half were Europeans who had moved within the continent, with their numbers growing from 38 million in 2015 to 44 million. The rest, numbering over 40 million, were non-Europeans living in Europe, marking a shift from 1990 when Europeans living abroad matched the number of non-Europeans in Europe. Interestingly, while Europe has become more attractive to non-European migrants, the trend of Europeans living outside the continent has seen a decline over the last three decades, stabilizing only in recent years with about 19 million Europeans residing mainly in Asia and Northern America.
Eastern European countries like the Russian Federation, Ukraine, Poland, and Romania have witnessed significant emigration, with Russia leading the pack with nearly 11 million citizens living abroad in 2020. Bosnia and Herzegovina, along with Portugal, Bulgaria, and Romania, have seen a high percentage of their populations emigrate, often due to historical or political upheavals. On the flip side, Germany emerged as the top destination for migrants in Europe, hosting almost 16 million foreign-born individuals in 2020, an increase from 2015. This diverse migrant population in Germany and other countries like the UK, France, Spain, and Italy reflects a mix of European and non-European origins, contributing to the cultural and demographic dynamics of the region.
The COVID-19 pandemic introduced widespread travel and movement restrictions across Europe, with a peak in measures during the early months of 2020. Despite these challenges, by June 2021, most countries had relaxed these restrictions, reflecting a shift towards managing the pandemic with less impact on mobility. The pandemic also influenced patterns of migration and travel within and outside Europe, with health-related measures eventually overtaking travel restrictions.
The economic impact of migration is evident in the flow of international remittances, with France and Germany being the largest recipients in Europe, largely due to cross-border workers. However, 2020 saw a 6% drop in remittance flows to Europe, reflecting the global economic downturn. Switzerland stood out as the largest sender of remittances, highlighting its role in the European economic landscape.
Regarding refuge and asylum, Germany led Europe in hosting refugees and asylum seekers, with a number of them from Syria. France and Sweden followed, showcasing Europe’s commitment to providing sanctuary to those fleeing conflict and persecution. However, Europe also faced challenges with internal displacements, predominantly due to natural disasters, with Croatia experiencing the highest number of disaster-related displacements in 2020, underscoring the varied causes of displacement in the region.
South-Eastern and Eastern Europe
The COVID-19 pandemic brought changes to migration patterns in South-Eastern and Eastern Europe, including stricter immigration policies and the return of many migrant workers to their home countries. Hungary introduced measures that required asylum seekers at the border to return and apply from a Hungarian embassy, raising concerns about the risk of refoulement. While vaccination efforts began in 2021, undocumented migrants were often excluded, increasing their vulnerability to the virus. However, Serbia made an effort to include all migrants in its vaccination strategy. The pandemic’s economic impact led to a notable return migration, with hundreds of thousands from countries like Bulgaria and Romania returning home due to unemployment, lack of social protection, or the desire to be with family.
The Russian Federation remains a major player in the global migration landscape, serving as both a origin and destination for international migrants. With its diaspora nearly 11 million strong, Russia is a key source of international migrants and remittances. It also hosts around 12 million international migrants, making it one of the largest destinations for migrants globally, with a majority coming from Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. This dual role underlines Russia’s impact on global migration and remittance flows.
Displacement due to conflicts and natural disasters is a pressing issue in the subregion. In Russia, floods and wildfires have forced thousands from their homes, while Eastern Ukraine faces a humanitarian crisis with millions in need of assistance due to ongoing conflict. Despite a ceasefire in 2020, security issues persist, affecting the lives and livelihoods of those in affected areas. The Western Balkans, serving as a key transit zone for migrants heading to Northern or Western Europe, have seen an influx of people fleeing economic hardship, conflict, and persecution. This route is fraught with dangers, often navigated with the help of smugglers, and has led to tensions in local communities and been politicized.
Northern, Western and Southern Europe
The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped migration dynamics in Northern, Western, and Southern Europe, influencing public attitudes, labor mobility, and the human rights of migrants. Notably, migrants’ crucial roles in essential sectors during the crisis led to a shift in public perception, especially in countries where anti-immigrant sentiments were previously rising. For instance, a portion of the British public showed support for granting citizenship to care workers and other essential workers in response to their contributions during the pandemic. This change highlights a notable departure from previous preferences for fewer low-skilled immigrants. The pandemic’s restrictions impacted labor mobility and exacerbated economic challenges, prompting some countries to ease access to their labor markets for third-country nationals to address shortages in critical sectors. However, these measures were juxtaposed with restrictions that adversely affected migrants’ rights, such as halting family reunifications and suspending asylum applications. Some nations took steps to assist migrants, including temporary regularization and inclusion in healthcare responses.
Irregular migration continues to be a pressing issue, with ongoing negotiations within the European Union for a new Pact on Migration and Asylum aimed at addressing this challenge. The pact focuses on strengthening partnerships with origin and transit countries, improving border management, and ensuring a balanced distribution of responsibilities among EU members. The recent surge in arrivals through various Mediterranean routes has reignited debates on solidarity and burden-sharing within the EU. Controversial policy changes and proposals in countries like Denmark and the United Kingdom have sparked concerns over their potential impact on asylum seekers’ rights, with some measures being criticized for contravening international obligations and undermining the protection system for refugees and asylum seekers.
Climate change and natural disasters have led to significant displacements within the subregion, with 2020 being Europe’s hottest year on record and resulting in numerous displacements due to wildfires, storms, and flooding. This has prompted the European Commission to adopt a new Climate Adaptation Strategy aimed at making the EU climate resilient by 2050. Meanwhile, women and girls represent a substantial portion of irregular migrant arrivals, facing unique challenges in the labor market. The pandemic has intensified these challenges, highlighting the vulnerabilities of migrant women, often employed in low-skilled and culturally undervalued jobs, to both economic instability and health risks.
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