Four Western European Countries with the Largest Immigrant Populations

As of recent data (circa 2020–2022), four Western European nations stand out for the absolute size of their foreign-born populations. Numbers vary by source (OECD, UN, national statistics) and definition of "immigrant."

1. Germany

Foreign-born: ~15–16 million (18–19% of population)
Top origin countries: Turkey, Poland, Russia, Romania, Syria, Kazakhstan, Italy, Greece, Croatia, Afghanistan.

2. France

Foreign-born: ~8–9 million (12–13%) — note: INSEE counts "immigrés" (born abroad, foreign nationality at birth) at ~7 million; including naturalized citizens raises figure.
Top origins: Algeria, Morocco, Portugal, Italy, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey, UK, Belgium, Vietnam.

3. United Kingdom

Foreign-born: ~9–10 million (14–15%)
Top origins: India, Poland, Pakistan, Romania, Ireland, Germany, Bangladesh, Nigeria, South Africa, Italy.

4. Spain

Foreign-born: ~7–8 million (15–17%)
Top origins: Morocco, Romania, Colombia, UK, Italy, Venezuela, Ecuador, China, Germany, Bulgaria.

Context and Nuance

• Switzerland (30% foreign-born) and Luxembourg (47%) have higher proportions but smaller absolute numbers.
• Italy (~6 million) and Netherlands (~2.5 million) also have significant immigrant populations.
• Data includes EU citizens exercising free movement—especially Poles, Romanians, Italians in Germany/UK.
• Recent flows: Ukraine (post-2022), Syria, Afghanistan, Venezuela, Sub-Saharan Africa.

These four countries—Germany, France, UK, Spain—are the primary destinations for international migration in Western Europe by volume, shaping labor markets, demographics, and politics.