The document provides an overview of global migration trends and attitudes towards immigrants, highlighting the significant number of international migrants and refugees, with over 258 million people living outside their countries of birth as of 2017. It includes survey findings on public opinions about immigrants, noting that many view them as a strength to the economy, while there is a widespread preference for limiting immigration. The report also presents demographic patterns of immigrants in various countries, with a focus on high-skilled immigration and the growing trend of refugees worldwide.

1. Trends and Attitudes towards
International Migration
Associate Director of Global Migration & Demography
Neil G. Ruiz

2. 2
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trends shaping America and the world. We conduct public opinion polling, demographic research,
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3. World Immigration Trends, 2017
• 258 million people lived outside their countries of
birth in 2017; more than 16 million are refugees
• Largest origin countries are India, Mexico, Russia,
China and the Philippines
• Top destination countries are the U.S., Saudi Arabia,
Germany, UK and the UAE
• Since 2010, fastest growth in emigrant populations
from Middle Eastern, North African and Sub-Saharan
African countries

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Middle East, North Africa and Sub-Saharan African
countries lead growth in emigrant populations since 2010

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Attitudes towards the Future and Migrants

6. About the 2018 Global Attitudes Survey
6
27,612 interviews conducted from May 14
to August 12, 2018 in 31 languages
Face-to-face countries
Telephone countries In each country,
samples are
representative of
the adult (18+)
population
• Canada • Sweden
• France • United Kingdom
• Germany • Japan
• Netherlands • South Korea
• Spain • Australia
• Argentina • Russia
• Brazil • Indonesia
• Mexico • Philippines
• Greece • Israel
• Hungary • Tunisia
• Italy • Kenya
• Poland • Nigeria
• South Africa
Additional data from a telephone survey of 1,500
U.S. adults conducted from May 14-June 15, 2018

7. 7

8. Pessimism about children’s future is widespread in most
countries
May 3, 2019 8
When children today in our country grow up they will be __ financially than their parents
Source: Spring 2018 Global Attitudes Survey. Q3.
17%
21
29
53
57
57
64
67
76
75
69
51
41
36
33
29
25
15
Indonesia
Philippines
Russia
South Korea
Mexico
U.S.
Australia
Canada
Japan
Worse off Better off

9. Indonesia and the Philippines significantly more optimistic
about their children’s future
May 3, 2019 9
When children today in our country grow up they will be __ financially than their parents
Source: Spring 2018 Global Attitudes Survey. Q3.
17%
21
75
69
Indonesia
Philippines
Worse off Better off
29%
53
57
57
64
67
76
51
41
36
33
29
25
15
Russia
South Korea
Mexico
U.S.
Australia
Canada
Japan
Worse off Better off

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Half or more in many destination countries
view immigrants as a strength
Immigrants today make our country stronger because of their work and talents OR
Immigrants today are a burden on our country because they take our jobs and social benefits
Source: Spring 2018 Global Attitudes Survey, Q.54a.

11. May 3, 2019 11
Around the world, few want more immigration
In your opinion, should we allow more immigrants to move to our country,
fewer immigrants, or about the same as we do now? (%)
Source: Spring 2018 Global Attitudes Survey, Q.52.

12. Among APEC countries, few want more immigration
May 3, 2019 12
In your opinion, should we allow more immigrants to move to our country, fewer
immigrants, or about the same as we do now?
Source: Spring 2018 Global Attitudes Survey.
67%
54
44
38
32
29
28
27
13
23
31
42
42
46
44
52
53
58
7
8
11
18
19
24
18
19
23
Russia
Indonesia
Mexico
Australia
Philippines
U.S.
South Korea
Canada
Japan
Fewer/None About the same More

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Views on the impact of immigrants in Europe
have shifted since 2014
% who say immigrants today make our country stronger
because of their work and talents
Source: Spring 2018 Global Attitudes Survey, Q.54a.

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Immigrants viewed more favorably among those on the
ideological left
% who say immigrants today make our country stronger
because of their work and talents
Source: Spring 2018 Global Attitudes Survey, Q.54a.

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Views on immigrants’ willingness to integrate are mixed
Immigrants in our country today want to adopt our customs and way of life
OR Immigrants today want to be distinct from our society
Source: Spring 2018 Global Attitudes Survey, Q.54c.

16. May 3, 2019 16
In many countries, half or more say
immigrants are no more to blame for crime
Immigrants in our country today are more to blame for crime than other groups
OR are no more to blame for crime than other groups
Source: Spring 2018 Global Attitudes Survey, Q.54b.

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Majorities in many European migrant destinations think
immigrants increase risk of terrorism
Immigrants today increase the risk of terrorism OR
Immigrants today do not increase the risk of terrorism in our country
Source: Spring 2018 Global Attitudes Survey, Q.54d.

18. May 3, 2019 18
Half or more in several countries support deporting
immigrants living in their country illegally
Thinking about immigration, would you __ deporting
immigrants currently in the country illegally?
Source: Spring 2018 Global Attitudes Survey, Q.53b.

19. May 3, 2019 19
More people on the ideological right support the
deportation of immigrants living in their country illegally
% who support deporting immigrants currently in the country illegally
Source: Spring 2018 Global Attitudes Survey, Q.53b.

20. May 3, 2019 20
In several economically advanced nations,
majority of public supports high-skilled immigration
Thinking about immigration, would you __ encouraging
highly skilled people to immigrate and work in our country?
Source: Spring 2018 Global Attitudes Survey, Q.53c.

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Many who want fewer immigrants
support high-skilled immigration
Among those who say their country should allow fewer or no immigrants,
% who __ encouraging highly skilled people to immigrate and work in our country?
Source: Spring 2018 Global Attitudes Survey, Q.53c.

22. May 3, 2019 22
Majorities in many countries think
outmigration is a big problem
% who say people leaving their country for jobs in other countries is a very or moderately big problem
Source: Spring 2018 Global Attitudes Survey, Q.52.

23. May 3, 2019 23
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Trends in the Largest Destination Country

24. May 3, 2019 24
Largest Immigrant Destination at Historic High

25. U.S. immigrant population reached 45 million in 2015;
projected to be 78 million in 2065
Source: Gibson and Jung (2006) for 1850 to 1890. Edmonston and Passel (1994) estimates for 1900-1955; Pew Research Center estimates for 1960-
2015 based on adjusted census data; Pew Research Center projections for 2015-2065.

26. U.S. foreign-born share projected
to hit record milestone in 2065
Source: Gibson and Jung (2006) for 1850 to 1890. Edmonston and Passel (1994) estimates for 1900-1955; Pew Research Center
estimates for 1960-2015 based on adjusted census data; Pew Research Center projections for 2015-2065.

27. 82
26
12
7
62
1 3
51
2 2
25
Northern
Europe Wave
(1840-1889)
14.3 million
Southern/Eastern
Europe Wave
(1890-1919)
18.2 million
Modern Wave
(1965-2015)
58.5 million
Europe
South/East Asia
Latin America
North/West
Europe
South/East
Europe
North/West
Europe
South/East
Europe
Most post-1965 immigrants from Latin America and Asia
Note: Data prior to 1965 does not include unauthorized immigrants.
Source: For 1965-2015, Pew Research Center estimates based on adjusted census data; for 1840-1919, Office of Immigration
Statistics, Yearbook of Immigration Statistics, 2008, Table 2

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In the past, European immigrants most numerous in U.S.
Top country of origin, by state
Source: Pew Research Center tabulations of 1960 decennial census (IPUMS)

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Today, Mexicans are the largest immigrant group in U.S.
Top country of origin, by state
Source: Pew Research Center tabulations of the 2013 American Community Survey (IPUMS)

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Number of unauthorized immigrants
in the U.S. declined over the past decade

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More U.S. border apprehensions
of non-Mexicans than Mexicans in 2017

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U.S. apprehensions of family units
rose substantially over past year

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www.pewresearch.org
U.S. High-Skilled Immigration

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+ 100%
+ 100%
+ 150%
+ 108%
+ 108%
+ 106%
+ 33%
+ 43%

41. May 3, 2019 41

42. May 3, 2019 42
Majority of foreign student graduates
under OPT are from Asia
Nearly three-quarters of the 1.5 million graduates on OPTcame from Asia
Number and % of OPT approvals in the United States from 2004-2016, by country of citizenship
Note: Only top 10 countries shown. Figures are students with an associate degree or higher and are rounded to nearest hundred.
Source: Pew Research Center analysis of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement data received August 2017 through a Freedom of
Information Act request.
“Number of Foreign College Students Staying and Working in U.S. After Graduation Surges”
PEW RESEARCH CENTER

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STEM foreign graduates are the
largest users of the OPT program
49%
400%
Non-STEM
STEM
Number of STEM
graduates under OPTgrew
substantially after the
2008 program expansion
% increase between 2008 and 2016
Note: Majors are grouped based on the most
recent delineation of majors that fall under
the science, technology, engineering, or
mathematics (STEM) field outlined by the
Department of Homeland Security.
Source: Pew Research Center analysis of
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
data received August, 2017, through a
Freedom of Information Act request.
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
Number of foreign students graduating American
colleges and obtaining authorization to work in the
U.S. grows, especially among those in STEM fields
Number of OPT approvals from 2004-2016, in thousands
Note: Figures are students with an associate degree or higher. STEM categories are based
on fields outlined by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Source: Pew Research Center analysis of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement data
received August 2017 through a Freedom of Information Act request.
“Number of Foreign College Students Staying and Working in U.S. After Graduation Surges”
PEW RESEARCH CENTER

44. May 3, 2019 44
12%
33%
60%
78%
Associate
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate
Share of foreign grads on
OPTwho studied STEM,
by degree level
% of STEM graduates by degree
levels, 2004-2016
Note: Degree levels categorized under
“Other degrees” are not included. STEM
categories are based on fields outlined by
the Department of Homeland Security.
Source: Pew Research Center analysis of
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
data received August 2017 through a
Freedom of Information Act request.
“Number of Foreign College Students
Staying and Working in U.S. After
Graduation Surges”
PEW RESEARCH CENTER

45. May 3, 2019 45

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www.pewresearch.org
H-1B visa applications have exceeded supply for the past
five years
Source: Pew Research Center analysis of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services data.

49. May 3, 2019 49
Optional Practical Training approvals surpassed initial
H-1B visa approvals in 2010, 2014, 2015 and 2016
Number of OPT and H-1B visa approvals, in thousands
Note: H-1B visa data are in U.S. federal fiscal years, which run from Oct. 1-Sept. 30. OPT
data are in calendar years. H-1B data include both capped and uncapped approvals.
H-1B visa applications require an equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree or higher. See
Appendix B for OPTeducational requirements.
Source: Pew Research Center analysis of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement data
received August 2017 through a Freedom of Information Act request and publicly available
H-1B visa data from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
“Number of Foreign College Students Staying and Working in U.S. After Graduation Surges”
PEW RESEARCH CENTER

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One million immigrants receive
lawful permanent resident status each year
U.S. Green Card system is majority family-based

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Attitudes towards Refugees andTrends

52. May 3, 2019 52
Majorities in many countries support taking in refugees
Source: Spring 2018 Global Attitudes Survey. Q53a.
Talking about immigration, would you ___ taking in refugees
from countries where people are fleeing violence and war?

53. May 3, 2019 53

54. May 3, 2019 54
Number of refugees resettled in U.S. falls below total from
rest of the world for first time in 2017

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Intentions to Migrate

56. May 3, 2019 56
In some African nations,
more plan to migrate than in other countries
% who say they plan to move to another country sometime in the next five years
Source: Spring 2018 Global Attitudes Survey, Q.55.

57. May 3, 2019 57
Many Tunisians, Nigerians and Kenyans
have made preparations to migrate
Among those who plan to migrate: In preparation to move to another country, % who have ...
Source: Spring 2018 Global Attitudes Survey, Q.56a-c.

58. Contact Information
Neil G. Ruiz
Associate Director of Global Migration & Demography
nruiz@pewresearch.org
@neil_ruiz

59. May 3, 2019 59
Immigrant populations in surveyed countries cover about
half of the world’s immigrant population
Source: For the U.S., 2017 American Community Survey representing immigrants living in the 50 states and D.C.; for all other countries, UN data.