Managing migration
A number of OECD countries such as France, Spain and the UK have established lists of occupations for which immigrant entry is allowed. The aim is to open the door to labour migration while ensuring a certain protection to domestic workers. But there is a widespread reluctance to acknowledge that a long-term demand exists for lesser skilled workers in many sectors. According to OECD, it is illusory to think that this can be met entirely through temporary migration.
Source: http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/427003461010
Overall, permanent immigration into OECD countries continued to rise but at a slower rate than in previous years. Around 4 million foreigners settled legally in OECD countries in 2006, five per cent more than the previous year but down from the growth rates of 18 percent in 2004 and 12 percent 2005. The number of asylum seekers in OECD countries fell to to 282,000 in 2006, the lowest level since 1987.
Source: http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/427045515037
More than 2.5 million temporary labour migrants arrived in OECD countries in 2006, a 15 percent increase over 2003. Over the same period the number of labour migrants settling permanently in OECD countries rose by more than 50 percent. The US continues to receive the most immigrants – about 1.26 million in 2006. Britain ranked second with about 340,000, followed by Spain, Canada and Germany. Sixty percent of people moving to live in European countries were of European origin. Overall, China accounts for the largest number of immigrants into OECD countries – almost 11 percent of the total in 2006. Poland ranked second with 5.3 percent and Romania third with 4.6%.
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