The latest INSEE estimates published at the end of 2023 indicate that in 2023, France had around 7.5 million immigrants, or around 10.8% of the total population. These figures show a steady increase since the 2010s. Furthermore, in 2024, the Ministry of the Interior recorded the issuance of nearly 330,000 first residence permits, a modest increase of 3% compared to 2023, illustrating the vitality of a migratory flow that is maintaining itself despite an uncertain global economic context.

Since 2015, France has adjusted its migration policy to respond to security challenges and the needs of the labour market. In 2020, in the context of the pandemic, entries temporarily fell, but from 2021, the recovery was confirmed. In 2024, the authorities strengthened border controls and accelerated asylum and naturalisation procedures. These measures, reinforced by the revision of legislative provisions initiated in January 2021, reflect a constant effort to balance security and economic imperatives in an environment marked by geopolitical tensions, particularly since the war in Ukraine that began in 2022.

The integration of new arrivals remains a priority for social cohesion. Studies conducted from 2022 onwards show that immigration contributes significantly to offsetting the ageing of the population, in particular by providing a young and dynamic workforce in strategic sectors such as health and construction. However, integration challenges persist, especially in access to housing and public services in metropolises such as Paris and Lyon, where public debates on these issues intensified in 2024.

 Immigration in Europe: Diversity and regional disparities

Eurostat statistics from 2023 reveal that within the EU, out of a population of approximately 450 million inhabitants, nearly 56 million people were born abroad, representing around 12.4% of the population. However, this proportion varies greatly from one country to another: in Germany, more than 19% of residents were born outside its borders, while in some Eastern European countries, this proportion remains below 3%. These disparities, observed since at least 2010, illustrate the great diversity of migratory trajectories within the Union.

Faced with an ageing population and a labour shortage in several sectors, many European countries are stepping up their policies to attract foreign workers. Since 2015, specific initiatives, particularly in Germany and Sweden, have attracted qualified professionals in the fields of healthcare and engineering. These measures, reinforced by cross-border recruitment campaigns in 2022 and 2023, play a crucial role in maintaining the economic competitiveness of European nations.

In order to reduce national disparities, the European Union is endeavouring to harmonise its migration policies. Since the integration of the Schengen acquis in the 1990s and the reforms initiated in 2007, the EU has been establishing a common framework for the management of external borders and the reception of asylum seekers. Regular meetings, intensified in 2023, between the Member States and the European institutions aim to coordinate efforts, while respecting national specificities and guaranteeing respect for fundamental rights.

Immigration in the world: A global phenomenon with multiple repercussions

According to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) world report published in 2024, around 290 million people were living outside their country of origin in 2023, representing around 4% of the world’s population. This migratory stock, which has been constantly increasing since the 2000s – rising from 173 million in 2000 to 281 million in 2020 – is the result of flows induced by conflicts, economic crises and the growing impact of climate change. The Syrian and Ukrainian crises, which began in 2011 and 2022 respectively, have particularly accentuated these movements.

International migration brings significant economic benefits. Several recent studies, including those conducted by Harvard economists, estimate that the free movement of migrants could increase global GDP by around 20%. In 2023, countries such as the United States, Canada and Australia noted that immigration had helped to fill labour shortages and stimulate economic growth. However, these flows also pose challenges in terms of social integration and the fair distribution of resources, particularly in large conurbations and areas with a high concentration of migrants.

International cooperation is essential in the face of the scale of migration. Since the 2018 World Migration Summit, the United Nations, the IOM and other international actors have stepped up their efforts to coordinate migration policies. In 2024, new bilateral agreements and regional initiatives were signed, aimed at improving the management of migration flows and guaranteeing respect for human rights. These governance efforts, which are essential to maximise the economic and social benefits of migration, illustrate the need for a coordinated approach in an ever-changing global context.

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