In this brief article, we will list the top 10 countries with the highest proportion of immigrants and understand what makes these nations so desirable for living. If you want more insights on what’s driving migration trends and which nations are seeing massive emigration, read 25 Countries with the Highest Proportion of Immigrants.
10. Jordan
Percentage Of Residents Born in A Foreign Country: 33.9%
Jordan is a major immigrant-receiving country as it’s surrounded by conflict-ridden neighbours like Palestine, Iraq, and Syria. Although there is economic and infrastructure strain, Jordan has maintained a humanitarian stance, and refugees constitute almost a third of Jordan’s population. Nevertheless, refugees/immigrants’ legal status can be precarious, with limited access to work permits.
9. Saudi Arabia
Percentage Of Residents Born in A Foreign Country: 38.6%
Saudi Arabia hosts millions of workers from South Asia and Africa, who contribute significantly to its economy. However, the country lacks a formal immigration system for non-Gulf Cooperation Council citizens to gain permanent residency. The Kafala system, which governs immigrant labor rights, has been criticized for exploitation and human rights abuses. The country is relatively less open to refugees, with exceptions made for Yemeni and Syrian nationals under specific conditions.
8. Singapore
Percentage Of Residents Born in A Foreign Country: 43.1%
Singapore’s immigration patterns are fueled, in part, by a strategic immigration policy. Nearly 43.1% of Singapore’s population comprises non-residents, including foreign workers and permanent residents. The government encourages immigration to fill workforce gaps and boost the economy but also enforces tight controls to maintain social harmony.
7. Oman
Percentage Of Residents Born in A Foreign Country: 46.5%
Oman is historically a nation of immigrants with a significant expatriate population. As of now, expatriates represent 46.5% of Oman’s total population because of its need for skilled and unskilled labor. Despite their significant presence, immigrants in Oman have faced challenges. Like Saudi Arabia, the sponsorship system called “kafala” ties migrant workers’ legal status to their employers and can lead to instances of exploitation.
6. Andorra
Percentage Of Residents Born in A Foreign Country: 59%
Andorra, a small landlocked country in the Pyrenees, sees many immigrants from neighboring Spain and Portugal. Over 59% of the population in Andorra is foreign-born, attracted by the country’s living standards, secure environment, and low taxes are key pull factors. Though immigrants have been integral to Andorra’s growth, the path to Andorran citizenship is notably rigorous, with a 20-year residency requirement.
5. Monaco
Percentage Of Residents Born in A Foreign Country: 67.8%
Monaco has high living standards and favorable tax regulations that have collectively taken the country’s immigrant proportion to 67.8%. The country predominantly attracts affluent individuals and professionals from France, Italy, and the UK.
4. Liechtenstein
Percentage Of Residents Born in A Foreign Country: 67.9%
Liechtenstein is one of the smallest countries and presents a relatively rigid immigration policy that most accept highly qualified workers. Around 67.9% of the population in the country is foreign-born, coming in to settle from Austria, Switzerland, and Germany. Understandably, the country’s immigration policy is influenced by its small size and limited resources and emphasizes selectivity to ensure newcomers contribute to its high-income economy.
3. Kuwait
Percentage Of Residents Born in A Foreign Country: 72.8%
Kuwait is a wealthy nation and has a somewhat ambivalent attitude towards immigrants. The country relies heavily on foreign workers, who constitute nearly 72.8% of the population. Again, the Kafala sponsorship system governing the employment of migrant workers makes it difficult for foreigners to gain rights in the country.
2. Qatar
Percentage Of Residents Born in A Foreign Country: 77.3%
Qatar became rich a few decades back and now heavily depends on migrant labor for its rapid infrastructural development. Immigrants now comprise 77.3% of the country’s total population. However, its sponsorship-based immigration system, similar to Kuwait’s, remains a concern as it can suppress the labor force. Notably, following global scrutiny in the run-up to the 2022 Football World Cup, Qatar made a series of labor reforms to enhance migrant workers’ conditions.
1. United Arab Emirates
Percentage Of Residents Born in A Foreign Country: 88.1%
Immigrants in the United Arab Emirates stand at 88.1% because of massive investments in the country. UAE has attracted 60% of the total FDI (foreign direct investment) in GCC, and some mega projects are underway in the country, which surely need a labor force. The country mostly attracts low-wage workers contributing to construction booms, but there are also highly skilled professionals in finance and technology. In recent years, the UAE has introduced long-term residency visas for investors, professionals, and students, which indicates a shift towards a more open immigration policy.
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