Global General

Special

Newsmaker

Asia Pacific

America

Middle East

Europe

Africa

Spain registers highest rate of immigration

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-11-24 14:22

MADRID-- A total of 702,000 immigrants flowed into Spain in 2007, registering the biggest influx of immigrants in the 27-member European Union, according to El Pais newspaper Sunday.

The report said in the past five years, an annual average of about 600,000 immigrants poured into Spain, with the influx hitting a record high in 2007.

The data released by the European Commission showed that the largest number of immigrants was recorded in Spain in 2007, followed by Italy with 494,000 and Germany with 175,000.

According to reports, immigration to Spain has increased five-fold since 1999. As birth rate in Spain has dropped, immigrant flow will help deal with the problems caused by an ageing population.

Immigration is playing an important role in promoting economic development in Spain and has made great contribution to balancing public spending and easing the burden of pension system.