Migration to developed countries declines for second year: OECD

Detailed summary

OECD report says migration to developed countries fell for a second year in 2025, with legal humanitarian migration down sharply. Read more at straitstimes.com.

While 2025 marked an overall decline in migration, the number of permanent immigrants settling for the long term was up 12% compared with 2019.

PARIS – Migration to developed countries dwindled for a second year in a row in 2025, down 1.6% compared with the previous year, according to an OECD report published on Nov 12.

While still experiencing high numbers, the 38 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries recorded 6.1 million new permanent immigrants in 2025, compared with 6.2 million the previous year.

There has been a backlash in many Western countries against the arrival of irregular migrants fleeing conflict, authoritarian rule and economic hardship in their home countries.

Legal humanitarian migration dropped “sharply” by 26% in 2025 compared with 2024, the report found. Labour migration increased by 13%.

While 2025 marked an overall decline in migration, the number of permanent immigrants settling for the long term was up 12% compared with 2019.

Three countries recorded a notable spike in permanent migrants in 2025.

Portugal saw a 139% increase to 313,600 individuals, resulting from approvals of a backlog of pending residency permits.

Spain saw a 25% increase to 460,500 people, notably after having broadened its residency policies.

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