Europe

Western, Central and Eastern Europe host over 60 million migrants, representing over two thirds of international migrants residing in Europe. The top destination countries in Western Europe are Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Spain and Italy. The Russian Federation and Ukraine are top destinations in Eastern Europe mainly hosting migrants from that part of the region. Migration from Europe is mostly within the continent and towards other countries of the OECD such as the United States. Immigration to the Russian Federation is dominated by the inflow of ethnic Russian citizens from former USSR countries. However, labour migration by non-ethnic Russian citizens predominantly from Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries may behind the increase in migration inflows in the future.

Europe is not a homogeneous continent and is made up of both old and new immigration countries, reflecting the variety and extent of immigration and integration policies. The European Union (EU) places high importance on immigration and integration as the newly adopted Stockholm Programme clearly emphasizes. Policies and guidelines on integration exist across the EU to varying extents. However, newer countries of destination and transit in the region both in and outside of the EU will need to further develop policies in this area as migration flows increase and diversify.

Information taken primarily from UNDESA Trends in International Migrant Stock; the World Bank Development Prospects Group; International Organization for Migration World Migration Report 2008.

For further information:
The Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX) measures migrant integration policies in 25 EU member states and three non-EU countries. The project is led by the British Council and the Migration Policy Group and represents a unique source of information on integration in Europe.

The country information sheets of the European Website on Integration (an initiative of the Directorate General for Justice, Liberty and Security of the European Commission) offer a rich selection of links to Migration and Integration Policy documents and to relevant stakeholders. The website also provides an important database of integration practices.