Cyprus boasts second largest EU-born resident share

Cyprus had the third largest share of foreign-born residents among EU countries (22.7%), and more specifically the second largest share of residents born in another EU country (10.6%) in 2023, according to data released by Eurostat.

The largest share of foreign-born (born in another EU country or a non-EU country) among EU member states in 2023 was recorded in Luxembourg (50.4%). Malta (28.3%) and Cyprus (22.7%) followed.

In contrast, the lowest shares were recorded in Poland (2.5%), Bulgaria (2.6%) and Romania (2.8%).

In absolute terms, the largest numbers of foreign-born residents (from other EU countries and non-EU countries) were registered in Germany (16.5 million people), France (8.9 million) and Spain (8.2 million).

In relative terms, Luxembourg had by far the biggest share of residents born in another EU country, 33.2%, followed by Cyprus with 10.6% and Austria with 9.5%.

The lowest shares of residents born in other EU countries, below 1%, were recorded in Poland (0.6%), Lithuania (0.7%) and Bulgaria (0.9%).

When it comes to residents born in non-EU countries, the highest shares were recorded in Malta (20.9%), followed by Luxembourg (17.2%). Ireland, Sweden and Estonia recorded a 15.2% share each. Cyprus had a lower share, at 12.1%.

The lowest shares of non-EU-born residents were registered in Slovakia (1%), Bulgaria and Romania (1.7% each).

According to Eurostat’s data, in 2022, 5.1 million people immigrated to the EU from non-EU countries, while 1.0 million people emigrated from the EU to destinations outside the EU.

The inflow of immigrants from non-EU countries more than doubled compared to the estimated 2.4 million in 2021. Conversely, the number of EU residents emigrating to countries outside the EU remained stable, with 1.0 million emigrants in 2021.

In 2022, there was an estimated 11 immigrants from non-EU countries per 1000 residents in the EU.

Relative to the size of the resident population, Malta recorded the highest rate of immigration from EU and non-EU countries in 2022 (66 immigrants per 1000 residents), followed by Luxembourg (48) and Estonia (37).

In contrast, Slovakia registered the lowest rate of immigration, with 1 immigrant per 1000 residents, followed by Bulgaria and France, each with 6 immigrants per 1000 residents.