Migration profiles and trends

Global migration currently means that hundreds of millions of people live in a country other than the one in which they were born

Corina Cristea, 16.01.2026, 13:09

Global migration currently means that hundreds of millions of people live in a country other than the one in which they were born—mainly economically active adults, but also students and even entire families, refugees, asylum seekers, and people displaced by conflict or disaster. It is a growing phenomenon: while in 2020 the number of international migrants was around 275 million, four years later their number exceeded 304 million.

Migration is not dominated by a single region or demographic group. Migrants come from Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and beyond, and the proportion of female migrants is significant and almost equal to that of males. When assessing the scale of migration, we must bear in mind the definition underlying this very important concept in economic policy—the 12-month threshold is very important in understanding this definition and the fact that there are two concepts in official statistics: international migration by citizenship and international migration by country of birth, points out university professor Tudorel Andrei, president of the National Institute of Statistics.

“If we do not take these aspects into account, we end up with different interpretations of figures that are unofficial and not endorsed by statistical institutes, Eurostat, the OECD, and the United Nations. The three international bodies periodically calculate both the flow and stock of international migration, as national statistics, under European regulations, are required to calculate the flow each year, not the stock. The stock is an estimate based on data obtained from other national statistical institutes.”

Romania ranks high in the global ranking of countries with high emigration rates. The latest Eurostat data show that over three million Romanians live legally in other European Union countries. However, experts point out that the actual number is higher, as official records are incomplete. This number reflects years of departures and decisions made mostly out of the need for a better life, with Western Europe being the destination of choice for most. Italy, Spain, Germany, and the United Kingdom are the main destinations, due to labour demand, established communities, and economic opportunities. The data also shows that, in recent years, the profile of those choosing to leave has changed: the average age is now slightly higher, around 35, and the proportion of those with higher education has also increased, currently standing at around 40%. Professor Tudorel Andrei:

“We have two categories—those who leave for various reasons: economic, cultural, and so on, but return to the country, and those who change their place of residence, whose number averages over 25,000 per year. The peak was reached in 2022, when over 50,000 left the country permanently, and in 2024, according to provisional data, around 29,000.”

Studies and reports on this phenomenon show that some of the Romanians who leave are overqualified for the jobs they find abroad, that Romanian emigration in recent years reflects a presence of about 55% of women – while the global trend is more balanced, and that a trend of returning to the country is becoming increasingly clear. Last year alone, nearly 220,000 people returned, either permanently or to test life in Romania again.

At the same time, a recent survey by the Repatriot organization shows that 29% of Romanians living abroad are considering returning to their country permanently, especially those settled in Israel, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. For now, the balance remains unstable—while some return, others continue to leave, attracted by financial stability and prospects outside the country. The result is a diaspora that, overall, remains the same size, constantly torn between the hope of returning and economic reality. Tudorel Andrei:

“The trend is for them to return, but if we consider the share, you should know that there are many citizens, usually born in Asian countries, who emigrate to Romania. According to the latest data, in 2024, almost 290,000 immigrants entered Romania, some of whom were Romanians who returned from Spain, the United Kingdom, and Germany. Around 65-70% of those who entered the country are Romanians. Another interesting figure or argument is the large number of children born abroad to at least one parent of Romanian origin and registered in Romania. Between 2014 and 2024, over 370,000 children were born abroad and also registered in Romania.
This means, says university professor Tudorel Andrei, that there is at least a cultural connection between Romanian emigrants and the places they left behind, and this is probably one of the main reasons why Romanians are returning to their country. (MI)