Germany Sees 12% Drop in Migration, US Up 20% Under Biden

Stricter controls in Germany led to a 12% drop in migration. Meanwhile, the US welcomed a record number of new residents under Biden, contrasting with the UK's 41% decrease.

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2025 November 3 . 1:08 PM

1 min read

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OECD Report: Slight Decline in Long-Term Immigration - Germany Sees 12% Drop in Migration, US Up 20% Under Biden

Germany witnessed a 12% drop in permanent migration in 2024, primarily due to a significant decrease in asylum seekers. Meanwhile, the United States saw a 20% rise under President Biden's administration, leading with 1.42 million new permanent residents. The UK, however, experienced a 41% decrease due to policy changes.

The fall in German migration can be attributed to stricter border controls and increased rejections, which rose by 28% to 44,500 in 2024. Family reunification remains the primary driver of permanent immigration worldwide, with numbers 15% above pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels. Notably, labor migrants decreased by 21% after a sustained increase since 2020.

OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann highlighted the importance of migration in addressing labor shortages and bolstering OECD economies' resilience. Half of all migrants settled in just five countries: the United States, Germany, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Spain. However, asylum applications in OECD countries hit a record 3.1 million new claims, a 13% increase over 2023.

The varying trends in permanent migration among major countries reflect differing policies and economic conditions. While the United States and Germany experienced contrasting fortunes, the UK's significant decrease underscores the impact of policy changes. The OECD's emphasis on migration's role in addressing labor shortages and bolstering economies' resilience serves as a reminder of its importance in global economic dynamics.