A quarter of Europe’s workforce is made up of migrant workers, according to the International Labor Organization (ILO).
In its December 16 report, the ILO highlighted the growing importance of migrant labor in Europe, with the share of migrant workers rising from 22.5% in 2013 to 23.3% in 2022. This trend is driven by aging populations in Europe and other regions, increasing the demand for migrant workers to sustain economies and support pension systems.
Globally, nearly 285 million people are international migrants, with 168 million contributing to the labor force. In countries like Germany, there is a pressing need for migrant workers—around 288,000 annually until 2040. To meet this demand, Germany has issued around 80,000 employment visas in 2024, while the Netherlands offers tax incentives for skilled migrants.
Migrant workers are crucial in sectors like care, with 28.8% of migrant women and 12.4% of migrant men employed in the field. However, they face challenges such as higher unemployment rates and discrimination. Despite this, migrants have higher labor force participation globally, with men more likely to be employed than women.
These workers play a vital role in addressing labor shortages and fostering economic growth, benefiting both host countries and their home nations through remittances and skills development.
