The 10 Countries with the Most Immigrants
By Jen Barnett, Co-founder, Expatsi
September 3, 2023 · Updated October 30, 2026 · 5 min read
According to the World Migration Report, the vast majority of people never emigrate from their home countries. There are currently only 281 million migrants worldwide, making up 3.6% of the population, but that number is growing as people and jobs become more mobile and tech makes moving easier.
The report comes out every two years and uses bank transfer data to track migration. People who move abroad regularly send and receive money to and from their home countries. Immigration is one of the primary ways countries grow their economies and keep job roles filled, especially as birth rates decline.
Here’s the 10 countries with the most immigrants:
10. Spain
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Spain is 10th with 6.8 million immigrants, accounting for 14% of its population. About 40,000 of those are Americans; that number is growing, thanks to flexible options for digital nomads and retirees. Those are the digital nomad visa and the non-lucrative visa, respectively. Barcelona gets much of the attention, while some prefer more relaxed environments like Bilbao or nearby Sitges.
9. Australia
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Australia has 7.7 million immigrants, which make up a staggering 30% of its population! About 90,000 of them are Americans. It’s challenging to move to Australia unless you’re a student or highly skilled worker, but you can also invest in the country to move there. There’s also a door for younger Americans: the Work and Holiday visa, which runs for a year. Perth, Sydney, and Adelaide rank among the most common expat destinations.
8. Canada
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Canada has 8 million immigrants, including more than a million Americans. Migrants make up 21% of its population, and it’s definitely working to bring in more. One big initiative allows U.S. immigrants on H-1B visas to move there, swiping some of our best foreign talent. Another lets remote workers with foreign employers stay as visitors for up to six months at a time. Winnipeg, Saskatoon, and Montreal are good places to consider if you're concerned about Toronto's inflated housing market.
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7. France
France has 8.5 million immigrants, including at least 150,000 Americans. France was the top EU country for American migrants in 2022: more than 12,000 made the leap to La République Française. Immigrants make up 13% of the population, many on its retirement or work visas.
While Paris is the most common destination, it's worth looking at Montpellier, Annecy, or Strasbourg for the variety that France offers.
6. United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates has 8.7 million and the most immigrants as a percentage of the population: an unbelievable 93% of its population are migrants. Many of these are laborers who come in under the country’s Kafala system, which provides little protection or benefits for those workers. We breakdown each of UAE's visa options here.
Most Americans begin with Dubai. If you want to buck the trend, explore Abu Dhabi, Ras al Khaimah, and Sharjah.
5. United Kingdom
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The UK has 9.4 million immigrants, a number that’s risen sharply since Brexit and which accounts for 14% of the population. At least 200,000 Americans live in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales.
Unless you're a student, visa paths run through skilled work. Those visas comes in innovator, high potential, or global talent varieties. Check out career options in Birmingham, Glasgow, Edinburgh, or Manchester.
4. Russia
Russia has 11.4 million immigrants. However, that predates the war, and some of those newcomers have been forced to fight. There’s no good data about how many Americans remain in Russia, but the number may grow once the country launches its village for conservative Americans.
3. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia has 13.5 million immigrants, which make up 38% of its population. That includes 80,000 Americans, many of whom work in oil or construction.
2. Germany
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Germany is in 2nd place with 15.8 million immigrants. About 7% of those are Syrian refugees who moved there due to programs put in place by former Chancellor Angela Merkel. Nineteen percent of Germany’s population are foreigners; about 120,000 of them are Americans. Looser guidelines for its popular jobseeker visa and free college options for international students are big draws. Skilled workers can even move first and look for work once they’re there, with the Opportunity Card.
Berlin has the most Americans. Expand your search beyond the capital by considering Düsseldorf, Cologne, Frankfurt, or Hamburg.
1. United States
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It’s no surprise that the United States is in the top spot, but the number of foreign-born people eclipses the other nine: 50.6 million immigrants call our country home! While immigrants only make up 15% of our population, it’s clear that the melting pot is still central to American culture.
In 2020, migrants sent $68 billion from the United States to their home countries, showing the opportunity that lies here for those who come. If you’re thinking of moving abroad, remember that leaving can open up housing and other opportunities for immigrants to live and work here.
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