South Africa had the highest number of immigrants among all African countries as of July 2020, hosting *** million people. Côte d'Ivoire followed with *** million international migrants. Among the macro-regions, Eastern Africa hosted the highest number of international migrants in Africa, with **** million. Western Africa followed with some **** million migrants.

Europe ranked as the leading destination for African migrants outside Africa in 2020. Around 11 million African-born migrants lived in European countries that year. Nearly five million Africans resided in Asia, while about three million lived in Northern America. Overall, more than 19.5 million Africans were living in different world regions as of 2020.

BackgroundThe large-scale emigration of physicians from sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) to high-income nations is a serious development concern. Our objective was to determine current emigration trends of SSA physicians found in the physician workforce of the United States.Methods and FindingsWe analyzed physician data from the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Health Workforce Statistics along with graduation and residency data from the 2011 American Medical Association Physician Masterfile (AMA-PM) on physicians trained or born in SSA countries who currently practice in the US. We estimated emigration proportions, year of US entry, years of practice before emigration, and length of time in the US. According to the 2011 AMA-PM, 10,819 physicians were born or trained in 28 SSA countries. Sixty-eight percent (n = 7,370) were SSA-trained, 20% (n = 2,126) were US-trained, and 12% (n = 1,323) were trained outside both SSA and the US. We estimated active physicians (age ≤70 years) to represent 96% (n = 10,377) of the total. Migration trends among SSA-trained physicians increased from 2002 to 2011 for all but one principal source country; the exception was South Africa whose physician migration to the US decreased by 8% (−156). The increase in last-decade migration was >50% in Nigeria (+1,113) and Ghana (+243), >100% in Ethiopia (+274), and >200% (+244) in Sudan. Liberia was the most affected by migration to the US with 77% (n = 175) of its estimated physicians in the 2011 AMA-PM. On average, SSA-trained physicians have been in the US for 18 years. They practiced for 6.5 years before US entry, and nearly half emigrated during the implementation years (1984–1999) of the structural adjustment programs.ConclusionPhysician emigration from SSA to the US is increasing for most SSA source countries. Unless far-reaching policies are implemented by the US and SSA countries, the current emigration trends will persist, and the US will remain a leading destination for SSA physicians emigrating from the continent of greatest need.Please see later in the article for the Editors' Summary

According to Cognitive Market Research, the global Digital Remitances market size will be USD XX million in 2025. It will expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of XX% from 2025 to 2031.

North America held the major market share for more than XX% of the global revenue with a market size of USD XX million in 2025 and will grow at a CAGR of XX% from 2025 to 2031.


Europe accounted for a market share of over XX% of the global revenue with a market size of USD XX million in 2025 and will grow at a CAGR of XX% from 2025 to 2031.


Asia Pacific held a market share of around XX% of the global revenue with a market size of USD XX million in 2025 and will grow at a CAGR of XX% from 2025 to 2031.


Latin America had a market share of more than XX% of the global revenue with a market size of USD XX million in 2025 and will grow at a CAGR of XX% from 2025 to 2031.


Middle East and Africa had a market share of around XX% of the global revenue and was estimated at a market size of USD XX million in 2025 and will grow at a CAGR of XX% from 2025 to 2031.

Market Drivers

The rising immigrant population and global brain drain are fueling the digital remittance market

The accelerating global movement of people—particularly from low- and middle-income nations to more developed economies—is a powerful force driving the digital remittance market. Migration today is not just about labor mobility; it's about financial connectivity. As skilled, semi-skilled, and even unskilled individuals relocate for better economic prospects, they become central agents in a transnational flow of capital—remittances—which are increasingly being digitized.

As of 2023, the international migrant population surpassed 280 million, representing over 3.5% of the world’s population (U.S. Census Bureau). Many of these migrants, including doctors, nurses, engineers, construction workers, and caregivers, contribute significantly to the labor markets in host countries while simultaneously supporting their families back home. This two-way economic impact—bolstering host economies while providing critical income to home countries—is increasingly mediated through digital remittance platforms. These figures underscore the fact that migrant workers are effectively one of the largest sources of foreign income for many nations, often surpassing both foreign aid and direct investment.

A growing share of these migrants are highly educated professionals, part of a broader trend known as "brain drain." Countries across South Asia, West Africa, and Eastern Europe are witnessing an outflow of talent, particularly in sectors like medicine, IT, and academia. While this raises challenges for the home country’s workforce development, it simultaneously boosts remittance flows as these skilled professionals tend to earn higher wages and remit more funds.

For instance,

The United Kingdom and Canada have both seen a surge in foreign-trained nurses and doctors, particularly from Nigeria, India, and the Philippines—countries that, in turn, have experienced an increase in remittance volumes. [ICN Report] 

These remittances play a vital role in supporting families and strengthening local economies, emphasizing the interconnectedness of global migration and economic stability. In Nigeria, authorities are targeting $1 billion in monthly remittance inflows, part of a broader initiative to tap diaspora capital through innovations such as a U.S. dollar-denominated diaspora bond and improved digital transfer frameworks (MSME Africa Online)

Immigration policy shifts in key remittance-sending countries like the U.S., Canada, Germany, and Gulf States have far-reaching effects on remittance volumes. Latin American economies such as Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador are particularly vulnerable to U.S. immigration changes. These three countries alone received $35 billion in remittances in 2023, primarily from migrants working in the United States. A recent report notes that U.S. election outcomes could significantly alter remittance flows, as immigration and deportation policies shape who can stay and work legally—and thus, continue to remit money (https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2023/12/18/remittance-flows-grow-2023-slower-pace-migration-development-brief).

The rising global migrant workforce—fueled b...

United States US: Refugee Population: by Country or Territory of Origin data was reported at 285.000 Person in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 310.000 Person for 2016. United States US: Refugee Population: by Country or Territory of Origin data is updated yearly, averaging 374.500 Person from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2017, with 28 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 4,987.000 Person in 2014 and a record low of 1.000 Person in 1990. United States US: Refugee Population: by Country or Territory of Origin data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.World Bank: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Refugees are people who are recognized as refugees under the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees or its 1967 Protocol, the 1969 Organization of African Unity Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa, people recognized as refugees in accordance with the UNHCR statute, people granted refugee-like humanitarian status, and people provided temporary protection. Asylum seekers--people who have applied for asylum or refugee status and who have not yet received a decision or who are registered as asylum seekers--are excluded. Palestinian refugees are people (and their descendants) whose residence was Palestine between June 1946 and May 1948 and who lost their homes and means of livelihood as a result of the 1948 Arab-Israeli conflict. Country of origin generally refers to the nationality or country of citizenship of a claimant.; ; United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Statistics Database, Statistical Yearbook and data files, complemented by statistics on Palestinian refugees under the mandate of the UNRWA as published on its website. Data from UNHCR are available online at: www.unhcr.org/en-us/figures-at-a-glance.html.; Sum;

In 2020, cumulative South African emigrants amounted to roughly *******. The vast majority settled in the United Kingdom (around *******), followed by Australia (nearly *******). Together, the two countries constituted roughly ** percent of the total South African migrants living abroad. Moreover, the third major country of destination for South Africans was the United States, with about ******* people living there. Overall, the ** countries presented covered **** percent of all South African migrants.

Language: a primary driver of emigration destinations

Language is a factor that helps ease communication and integration for individuals within a new society. Noticeably, the five leading destinations for South African emigrants had English as an official language. In South Africa, English was the second most spoken language outside households. Furthermore, the Netherlands ranked seventh, which language can also justify. Afrikaans, a language developed from ****-century Dutch, was the third most spoken language among households in South Africa.

Unemployment a major worry and prevalent among youth    

A real worry for South Africans in 2022 was unemployment. As of April 2022, ** percent of the respondents of a survey reported concern regarding the job market and the unemployment situation in the country. As of the first quarter of 2022, the unemployment rate among the age groups 15-24 years and 25-34 years was significantly higher than the rest, reaching **** percent and **** percent, respectively.

Remittance Market Outlook

The global remittance market size was valued at USD 701.93 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 1.08 trillion by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.9% from 2024 to 2032. The growth of this market is driven by increasing migration trends, technological advancements, and rising demand for convenient and cost-effective money transfer services. The expansion of digital platforms and mobile wallets has significantly contributed to the ease and speed of cross-border money transfers, providing a robust foundation for market growth.

A significant growth factor contributing to the expansion of the remittance market is the increasing global migration rates. Economic disparities and the pursuit of better employment opportunities have led to a rise in the number of people moving to different countries. These migrants often send money back to their home countries to support their families, driving the demand for remittance services. Additionally, humanitarian reasons and international aid are playing essential roles in boosting remittance flows to regions in need.

Technological advancements have been another critical driver of growth in the remittance market. The advent of digital payment platforms and fintech innovations has revolutionized the way money is transferred across borders. These technological solutions offer faster, cheaper, and more secure transaction methods compared to traditional banking systems. Fintech companies are leveraging blockchain technology to enhance transparency and reduce transfer time, further propelling market growth. The increased penetration of smartphones and internet connectivity also aids in the widespread adoption of digital remittance services.

The rising demand for convenient and cost-effective money transfer services has prompted both traditional and non-traditional financial institutions to enhance their offerings. Money Transfer Operators (MTOs), banks, and online platforms are continuously improving their services to cater to the evolving needs of customers. Competitive pricing, reduced transfer fees, and additional services such as currency exchange and bill payments are attracting more users to formal remittance channels. This trend is particularly evident in developing economies where access to financial services was previously limited.

From a regional perspective, Asia Pacific holds the largest share in the global remittance market, driven by high migration rates and substantial volumes of inward remittances, particularly in countries like India, China, and the Philippines. North America and Europe also represent significant markets due to their large immigrant populations and established financial infrastructures. Latin America and the Middle East & Africa are emerging regions with growing remittance flows, fueled by economic growth and increasing outbound migration.

Type Analysis

The remittance market can be segmented into inward remittance and outward remittance. Inward remittance refers to money sent by expatriates to their home country, while outward remittance involves funds sent from a home country to other countries. Inward remittances constitute a major portion of the market due to the high number of migrant workers sending money back to support their families. This segment is particularly crucial for developing economies where remittances play a significant role in boosting household incomes and economic growth.

Outward remittance, although smaller in comparison to inward remittance, is also growing steadily. This segment is driven by factors such as international tuition fees, payments for overseas purchases, and investments in foreign properties. The increasing number of people traveling abroad for education and business purposes has led to a rise in outward remittance transactions. Additionally, with globalization and international trade on the rise, businesses are also contributing to outward remittance flows.

The inward remittance segment is expected to continue its dominance over the forecast period, supported by the growing migrant population and the necessity to support families back home. Government policies in various countries that encourage the inflow of remittances, such as reduced transaction fees and favorable exchange rates, are also bolstering this segment. Furthermore, international organizations and financial institutions are working towards making inward remittance processes more efficient, secure, and cost-effective.

The outward remittance segment, while s

Ukraine UA: Refugee Population: by Country or Territory of Origin data was reported at 139,561.000 Person in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 239,075.000 Person for 2016. Ukraine UA: Refugee Population: by Country or Territory of Origin data is updated yearly, averaging 25,317.500 Person from Dec 1992 (Median) to 2017, with 26 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 321,418.000 Person in 2015 and a record low of 38.000 Person in 1992. Ukraine UA: Refugee Population: by Country or Territory of Origin data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ukraine – Table UA.World Bank: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Refugees are people who are recognized as refugees under the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees or its 1967 Protocol, the 1969 Organization of African Unity Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa, people recognized as refugees in accordance with the UNHCR statute, people granted refugee-like humanitarian status, and people provided temporary protection. Asylum seekers--people who have applied for asylum or refugee status and who have not yet received a decision or who are registered as asylum seekers--are excluded. Palestinian refugees are people (and their descendants) whose residence was Palestine between June 1946 and May 1948 and who lost their homes and means of livelihood as a result of the 1948 Arab-Israeli conflict. Country of origin generally refers to the nationality or country of citizenship of a claimant.; ; United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Statistics Database, Statistical Yearbook and data files, complemented by statistics on Palestinian refugees under the mandate of the UNRWA as published on its website. Data from UNHCR are available online at: www.unhcr.org/en-us/figures-at-a-glance.html.; Sum;

The Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX) is a unique tool which measures policies to integrate migrants in countries across fifty six continents, including all EU Member States (including the UK), other European countries (Albania, Iceland, North Macedonia, Moldova, Norway, Serbia, Switzerland, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine), Asian countries (China, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, United Arab Emirates), North American countries (Canada, Mexico and US), South American countries (Argentina, Brazil, Chile), South Africa, and Australia and New Zealand in Oceania. Policy indicators have been developed to create a rich, multi-dimensional picture of migrants’ opportunities to participate in society. In the fifth edition (MIPEX 2020), a core set of indicators were created and updated for the period 2014-2019. MIPEX now covers the period 2007-2019 and is being updated to cover the 2020-2023 period. The index is a useful tool to evaluate and compare what governments are doing to promote the integration of migrants in all the countries analysed. MIPEX scores are based on a set of indicators covering eight policy areas that has been designed to benchmark current laws and policies against the highest standards through consultations with top scholars and institutions using and conducting comparative research in their area of expertise. The policy areas of integration covered by the MIPEX are the following: Labour market mobility; Family reunification; Education; Political participation; Permanent residence; Access to nationality; Anti-discrimination; and Health.

Replication files for "Reassessing the Contributions of Black Inventors to the Golden Age of Innovation" by Michael J. Andrews and Jonathan T. Rothwell, Essays in Economic and Business History 2023. During the Second Industrial Revolution and subsequently, it is widely believed that Black Americans contributed disproportionately little to the economic development of the United States, especially in comparison to European Americans and immigrants from Europe. Yet, Black Americans tended to live in entirely different institutional environments than other Americans, particularly in the South under Jim Crow laws. Using a new database that matches inventors to census records, we find that patenting rates for Black Americans living in the North were very similar to patenting rates for White Americans from 1870 to 1940; in some decades and states, Northern Black patenting rates exceeded the patenting rate for White Americans. In the South, patenting rates were low for both Black and White Americans, while patenting rates for Northern Black residents were far higher than those for Southern White residents. We additionally find that Black Americans from all regions were responsible for more patents than immigrants from all but two countries (Germany and England). In total, we estimate that African Americans invented more than 50,000 patents over the period. Thus, when freed of extreme political oppression, Black Americans demonstrated a level of inventiveness that matched the most inventive groups in US history.

Worldwide, the Kutupalong Expansion Site in Bangladesh was the largest refugee camp, hosting nearly *********** refugees. Most of its refugee population is Rohingya, who have fled from neighboring Myanmar after years of persecution and a genocide that started in 2016. Violent conflicts in East Africa Some of the largest refugee camps in the world are located in East Africa. This is no surprise as violent conflicts in Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo have forced millions to flee their countries. Many refugees do not end up in refugee camps, but are forced to reside on the outskirts of towns, while others take the dangerous route towards Europe or North America. Africa is also the continent in the world with the second highest number of registered refugees, behind Europe, including Turkey. Increasing number of refugees After being relatively stable through the 2000s, the number of refugees in the world has increased since 2012. This is strongly connected to the outbreak of the Syrian civil war, and as a result, the highest number of refugees in the world is from Syria. Moreover, the Russia-Ukraine war since February 2022, the Taliban retaking power in Afghanistan in 2021, and the civil war in Sudan have increased the global refugee count.

Between 1500 and 1820, an estimated 2.58 million Europeans migrated to the Americas, namely from the British Isles, Portugal, Spain, France and Germany. Until the mid-1600s, the majority of European migrants were from the Iberian Peninsula, as Portugal and Spain had a 150 year head start over other European powers when building their overseas empires. However, by the end of the century, more settlers from the British Isles had emigrated to the New World than from Spain or Portugal; the majority of which migrated to British colonies in the Caribbean as indentured servants or prisoners. The 18th century also saw migrants from other European nations begin to migrate en masse, particularly those from France and the German states, although migration from the British Isles and Portugal remained at the highest levels.

In comparison to the almost 2.6 million Europeans migrants, it is estimated that over 8.6 million Africans were forced across the Atlantic during this time period, as part of the transatlantic slave trade. The first half of the 19th century saw the demise of the transatlantic slave trade, which was followed by an influx of white migration to the Americas from across Europe; this contributed heavily to reversing demographic trends and making those with African ancestry an ethnic minority in most American countries today.

BackgroundLiterature focusing on migration and maternal health inequalities is inconclusive, possibly because of the heterogeneous definitions and settings studied. We aimed to synthesize the literature comparing the risks of severe maternal outcomes in high-income countries between migrant and native-born women, overall and by host country and region of birth.Methods and findingsSystematic literature review and meta-analysis using the Medline/PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases for the period from January 1, 1990 to April 18, 2023. We included observational studies comparing the risk of maternal mortality or all-cause or cause-specific severe maternal morbidity in high-income countries between migrant women, defined by birth outside the host country, and native-born women; used the Newcastle–Ottawa scale tool to assess risk of bias; and performed random-effects meta-analyses. Subgroup analyses were planned by host country and region of birth.The initial 2,290 unique references produced 35 studies published as 39 reports covering Europe, Australia, the United States of America, and Canada. In Europe, migrant women had a higher risk of maternal mortality than native-born women (pooled risk ratio [RR], 1.34; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.14, 1.58; p < 0.001), but not in the USA or Australia. Some subgroups of migrant women, including those born in sub-Saharan Africa (pooled RR, 2.91; 95% CI, 2.03, 4.15; p < 0.001), Latin America and the Caribbean (pooled RR, 2.77; 95% CI, 1.43, 5.35; p = 0.002), and Asia (pooled RR, 1.57, 95% CI, 1.09, 2.26; p = 0.01) were at higher risk of maternal mortality than native-born women, but not those born in Europe or in the Middle East and North Africa. Although they were studied less often and with heterogeneous definitions of outcomes, patterns for all-cause severe maternal morbidity and maternal intensive care unit admission were similar. We were unable to take into account other social factors that might interact with migrant status to determine maternal health because many of these data were unavailable.ConclusionsIn this systematic review of the existing literature applying a single definition of “migrant” women, we found that the differential risk of severe maternal outcomes in migrant versus native-born women in high-income countries varied by host country and region of origin. These data highlight the need to further explore the mechanisms underlying these inequities.Trial RegistrationPROSPERO CRD42021224193.

Approximately 41 million people immigrated to the United States of America between the years 1820 and 1957. During this time period, the United States expanded across North America, growing from 23 to 48 states, and the population grew from approximately 10 million people in 1820, to almost 180 million people by 1957. Economically, the U.S. developed from being an agriculturally focused economy in the 1820s, to having the highest GDP of any single country in the 1950s. Much of this expansion was due to the high numbers of agricultural workers who migrated from Europe, as technological advances in agriculture had lowered the labor demand. The majority of these migrants settled in urban centers, and this fueled the growth of the industrial sector.

American industrialization and European rural unemployment fuel migration The first major wave of migration came in the 1850s, and was fueled largely by Irish and German migrants, who were fleeing famine or agricultural depression at the time. The second boom came in the 1870s, as the country recovered from the American Civil War, and the Second Industrial Revolution took off. The final boom of the nineteenth century came in the 1880s, as poor harvests and industrialization in Europe led to mass emigration. Improvements in steam ship technology and lower fares led to increased migration from Eastern and Southern Europe at the turn of the century (particularly from Italy). War and depression reduces migration Migration to the U.S. peaked at the beginning of the 20th century, before it fluctuated greatly at the beginning of the 20th century. This was not only due to the disruptions to life in Europe caused by the world wars, but also the economic disruption of the Great Depression in the 1930s. The only period between 1914 and 1950 where migration was high was during the 1920s. However, the migration rate rose again in the late 1940s, particularly from Latin America and Asia. The historically high levels of migration from Europe has meant that the most common ethnicity in the U.S. has been non-Hispanic White since the early-colonial period, however increased migration from Latin America, Asia and Africa, and higher fertility rates among ethnic minorities, have seen the Whites' share of the total population fall in recent years (although it is still over three times larger than any other group.

In 2020, there was an estimated migrant stock in the world of over *** million people. Of these, *** million resided in Europe or North America. North Africa and the Middle East were the second most common destination of migrants in the world. Moreover, a high number of migrants live within the same region as their country of origin. This is especially the case in Europe and North America, as well as Central and South Asia, North Africa and the Middle East, and Sub-Saharan Africa. There are varying reasons for people to emigrate from their country of origin, from poverty and unemployment to war and persecution.

******** ranked as the country of origin of the largest immigration group arriving into Spain in 2023, as revealed by the latest data. Over ******* people migrated from the South American country to Spain that year. The second largest group was comprised by ********* with around ******* newcomers. A matter of balance The net migration rate of Spain changed its course mainly due to the great inflow of foreigners that move to reside in the Mediterranean country. Spain’s immigration flow slowed down after the 2008 financial crisis, albeit the number of foreigners that opted to change their residence saw a significant growth in the last years. In 2023, Moroccans ranked first as the foreign nationality residing Spain, followed by people from Romania and the Colombians. Spain does not have the highest number of immigrants in Europe In recent years, the European Union confronted a rising number of refugees arriving from the Middle East and Africa. Migration figures show that Germany accommodated approximately ** million foreign-born citizens, ranking it as the country that most hosted immigrants in Europe in 2023. By comparison, Spain’s foreign population stood over ***** million, positioning the Western Mediterranean country third on the European list of foreign-born population. Unfortunately, thousands of persons have died or gone missing trying to reach Spanish territory, as more and more irregular migrants opt to use dangerous maritime routes to arrive at Southern Europe from Africa's coasts.

In 2024, the net migration rate in France reached *******. In recent years Europe and France have seen more people arrive than depart. The net migration rate is the difference between the number of immigrants (people coming into an area) and the number of emigrants (people leaving an area) throughout the year. France's highest net migration rate was reached in 2018 when it amounted to *******. Armed conflicts and economic migration are some of the reasons for immigration in Europe. The refugee crisis Studies have shown that there were ******* immigrant arrivals in France in 2022, which has risen since 2014. The migrant crisis, which began in 2015 in Europe, had an impact on the migration entry flows not only in France but in all European countries. The number of illegal border crossings to the EU over the Eastern Mediterranean route reached a record number of ******* crossings in 2015. Immigration in France Since the middle of the 19th century, France has attracted immigrants, first from European countries (like Poland, Spain, and Italy), and then from the former French colonies. In 2023, there were approximately *** million people foreign-born in France. Most of them were living in the Ile-de-France region, which contains Paris, and in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur in the Southeastern part of the country. In 2022, the majority of immigrants arriving in France were from Africa and Europe.

As of 2020, over ***** thousand Tanzanians were living abroad. The United States was the main destination for those emigrating from Tanzania, hosting around ** thousand immigrants. The United Kingdom. and Rwanda followed closely. Some **** thousand Tanzanians lived in the European country that year, while **** thousand dwelled in the African neighbor country.

In comparison to the other continents, historical migration rates from Africa to the United States have been relatively low. While almost 400,000 Africans were forcibly taken to mainland North America during transatlantic slavery, the abolition of the slave trade in 1808 was followed by incredibly low migration rates due to widespread poverty across the continent, lack of opportunity, and restrictive migration policies in the U.S. The past two decades have seen a significant rise in immigration from across Sub-Saharan Africa, where rapid population growth, climate change, conflict, and instability have driven millions to leave the continent each year, although only a relatively small share migrate across the Atlantic to the U.S..

The largest number of immigrants in Germany were from Ukraine, as of 2023. The top three origin countries were rounded up by Romania and Turkey. Immigrants are defined as having left a country, which may be their home country, to permanently reside in another. Upon arriving, immigrants do not hold the citizenship of the country they move to. Immigration in the EU All three aforementioned countries are members of the European Union, which means their citizens have freedom of movement between EU member states. In practice, this means that citizens of any EU member country may relocate between them to live and work there. Unrestricted by visas or residence permits, the search for university courses, jobs, retirement options, and places to live seems to be defined by an enormous amount of choice. However, even in this freedom of movement scheme, immigration may be hampered by bureaucratic hurdles or financial challenges. Prosperity with a question mark While Germany continues to be an attractive destination for foreigners both in and outside the European Union, as well as asylum applicants, it remains to be seen how current events might influence these patterns, whether the number of immigrants arriving from certain countries will shift. Europe’s largest economy is suffering. Climbing inflation levels in the last few months, as well as remaining difficulties from the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic are affecting global economic development. Ultimately, future immigrants may face the fact of moving from one struggling economy to another.