Support migrant centric journalism today and donate
The global financial crisis of a few years ago had a huge effect on levels of immigration. There was a significant reduction in immigration to the European Union, according to new figures from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
According to the report, immigration to some countries declined by almost 50 percent in 2009. The Czech Republic saw immigration drop by 46 percent and Ireland saw a 42 percent decline.
Italy, France, and Germany saw smaller declines. There was also a 22 percent decline in Immigration between EU member states.
The UK was an exception to this trend, with immigration actually increasing by 14 percent in 2009. This was the largest increase of any OECD country.
"Given the severity of the crisis, migration has fallen less than might have been expected," the OECD said in a statement.
According to the OECD, immigration is expected to pick up again as economies around the world recover.
Australia's economy is already picking up steam, particularly in its resources industry which includes the mining industry. Businesses in this sector have ramped up hiring overseas workers; Australia has a number of temporary and permanent immigration schemes to bring in foreign workers.
