The table illustrates the number of people from five European nations (the UK, Germany, Italy, Poland, and Spain) residing in each other’s countries in 2011.
Overall, Germany had the highest number of foreigners, hosting over 1.1 million people, while Poland had the smallest number of residents abroad, with only 6,000 individuals. British and Spanish citizens displayed moderate migration levels, whereas Italians predominantly settled in Germany, their most preferred destination.
Germany attracted the largest number of migrants, totaling 1,198,000, with the majority being from Poland (550,000) and the UK (426,000). The UK followed as a popular destination for foreigners, particularly Spaniards (391,000) and Germans (297,000). Meanwhile, Spain also hosted a considerable number of migrants (861,000), with Germans (196,000) and Italians (188,000) representing the largest groups.
The data also highlights migration preferences by nationality. Germans were the most mobile group, with significant populations in Spain (196,000) and Italy (42,000), likely due to cultural and historical ties. Similarly, British citizens displayed a preference for Spain, a popular destination due to its favorable climate and lifestyle. Italians mainly migrated to Germany (556,000), indicating a strong economic draw.
