Eurostat: Cyprus 3rd highest percentage of foreign-born citizens

Eurostat, the statistical service of the European Union, has released data showing that Cyprus is one of the top countries in the EU for migration. In 2021, 27 migrants per 1000 people arrived in Cyprus from countries outside the EU, and 22.7% of citizens in Cyprus were foreign-born, either from other EU member states or non-EU countries. Cyprus has the second largest share of citizens born in another EU member state, at 10.6%, but is in fifth place regarding the share of citizens born in non-EU countries, at 12.2%.

In 2021, an estimated 2.3 million immigrants came to the EU from non-EU countries, and about 1.1 million people from the EU emigrated to a country outside the EU. Compared to 2020, there was a significant increase in the number of non-EU-born citizens in Cyprus, while the number of citizens born in other EU countries decreased.

Luxembourg recorded the highest rate of immigration, with almost 40 immigrants per 1000 people, followed by Malta (35) and Cyprus (27). The lowest rate of immigration was registered in Slovakia, with only 1 immigrant per 1000 people.

In terms of population, Luxembourg had the highest share of foreign-born citizens at almost 50%, followed by Malta (23.6%) and Cyprus (22.7%). The smallest shares were recorded in Romania (1.7%), Poland (2.5%), and Bulgaria (3.2%).

Germany, France, and Spain have the largest populations of foreign-born citizens, while Poland and Lithuania have the smallest shares of citizens born in other EU countries.

Malta and Luxembourg have the highest shares of citizens born in non-EU countries, while Romania, Slovakia, and Poland have the lowest.

Compared with 2021, in absolute terms, 13 EU members saw an increase in both the number of citizens born in non-EU countries and in EU countries in 2022. Five members saw the opposite trend, with the number of both groups of citizens decreasing.

Source: CNA