OECD reports 6.1 million new permanent immigrants in 2025

Migration to developed nations experienced a decline for the second consecutive year in 2025, according to new data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The 38-member organisation recorded 6.1 million new permanent immigrants, a 1.6 percent decrease from the 6.2 million arrivals documented in 2024.

The report highlights a sharp shift in the composition of migratory flows. Legal humanitarian migration fell by 26 percent compared to the previous year, while labour-related migration rose by 13 percent. Despite the overall annual dip, the number of people settling for the long term remains 12 percent higher than pre-pandemic levels recorded in 2019.

Regional trends varied significantly across the OECD. Portugal reported a 139 percent increase, reaching 313,600 individuals, a surge attributed to the processing of a backlog of residency permits. Spain and Italy also saw substantial growth, with permanent migrant numbers rising by 25 percent and 45 percent respectively.

Conversely, several major economies recorded notable declines. The United States, which remains the largest destination for permanent migrants, saw a 14 percent drop to more than 1.2 million. Canada and the United Kingdom also experienced decreases, with arrivals falling by 19 percent and 32 percent respectively.

Asylum applications, excluding those in the United States, dropped by 22 percent compared to 2024, though figures remain about 10 percent higher than in 2019. India was identified as the leading country of origin for migratory flows to OECD nations in 2024, followed by China and Colombia.

Mark Pearson, the OECD’s acting director of Employment, Labour and Social Affairs, noted the vital role of migration in addressing demographic challenges. With the working-age population across OECD countries projected to decline by 8 percent by 2060, Pearson emphasised that immigration is essential for long-term productivity.

Immigrants currently account for 16 percent of total employment across the OECD, an increase of 3 percentage points over the last decade. The report further noted that in 24 of 34 countries, the labour participation rate for migrants was 1.5 percentage points higher than that of native-born workers.

Gender distribution within these flows remains a key focus of the data. In 2024, women accounted for approximately 46 percent of new immigrants. Certain nations, including the United States, Ireland, Sweden, Israel, Chile, Australia, and New Zealand, admitted a higher proportion of female immigrants, with figures ranging from 52 to 54 percent.

The report comes amid a broader political climate in many Western nations, where there is a noted backlash against the arrival of irregular migrants fleeing conflict, authoritarian rule, and economic hardship. The OECD suggests that the policy focus should shift toward how to maximise the potential of migration for productivity rather than debating its inherent value.

Pearson concluded that the challenge for member states is to integrate these populations effectively to support economic growth. As labour participation rates remain at historic highs, the contribution of migrant workers is increasingly viewed as a necessary component for maintaining living standards in the face of an aging global population.