Permanent migration to OECD countries reached 6.1 million in 2025, historically high despite a second annual decline

Permanent migration to OECD countries reached 6.1 million people in 2025, 1.6 percent lower than in 2024 but still 12.5 percent above 2019 levels, showing that migration remains historically high despite a second consecutive annual decline, according to the organisation's International Migration Outlook 2026. The report, which draws on more than 50 years of migration monitoring, finds that migration continues to support labour markets, economic growth and demographic resilience across many member countries.

Immigrant employment remained resilient despite slower economic growth, with 71 percent of immigrants in employment across OECD countries in 2025. The report examines permanent and temporary migration, international student mobility, asylum trends and immigrant employment, and finds that migration can support productivity growth through skills, innovation and entrepreneurship - but that policies are needed to improve skill use, mobility and long-term workforce outcomes.

The report also explores migration's contribution to long-term care systems, where many countries face workforce shortages as populations age, and highlights both the opportunities and the policy challenges facing OECD economies as migration patterns, labour shortages and demographic change reshape policy choices.