Press Release 11/08/2023

MIGRATORY MOVEMENTS STATISTICS. 2022

Immigrations to the Basque Country grew by more than 50% in 2022 to almost 60,000

Emigrations reached 37,000 (3.3% more) and the positive migratory balance was at its maximum since the 2000s, 22,171 people

In 2022, 59,194 immigrants arrived compared to 39,427 in 2021, up 50.1%, according to Eustat data. The number of emigrations also increased, although significantly less, going from 35,839 in 2021 to 37,023 in 2022, an increase of 3.3%. As a result of this large increase in immigration, the migratory balance reached 22,171 people, recovering and even increasing the magnitude of the growth trend prior to the pandemic, at its maximum since the 2000s.

The migratory balance followed the growth trend throughout the year: positive between January and June by 9,881 people, while there were 12,290 people in the second half of the year.

By province, Bizkaia (which gained 11,818 people) showed the highest migratory balance in both absolute and relative figures (multiplying the increase from the previous year by 9); Gipuzkoa had a positive balance of 6,982 people (8 times higher than in 2021) and Álava of 3,371 (2.5 times higher than in 2021). The migratory balance was positive in all the districts of the three provinces, except in Montaña Alavesa with a balance of 10 people less.

Regarding the capitals, all three showed positive balances, with increases of 4,529 people in Bilbao and 2,098 and 2,863 in San Sebastián and Vitoria-Gasteiz respectively.

In relation to the movements that occurred between the Basque Country and the other Autonomous Regions, there was a negative positive balance of 1,154 people in 2022, which was higher than that of 2021 (-573). In contrast, the balance with other countries, positive in 2021 with 4,161 people, was almost 6 times higher, reaching 23,325.

Increased external mobility rate, due to increased immigration

External or extra-community geographical mobility has gone from 34.3 out of 1,000 inhabitants in 2021 to 44 in 2022. By province, Álava reached 46.8‰, Bizkaia 44.1‰ and Gipuzkoa 42.6‰.

If we take into account the migratory movements with the different Autonomous Regions we see that the Basque Country maintained a positive migratory balance with 7 of them, while the migratory balance was negative in the other 10. Therefore, in 2022, the balance was -1,154 people compared to -573 the previous year.

In order, the Autonomous Regions that attracted the most emigrants from the Basque Country were as follows: Castilla y León, Madrid, Cantabria, Catalonia and Andalusia. Between the five of them, they received 57.5% of the people who left this Community for other Autonomous Regions.

In descending order, the Autonomous Regions that contributed the most immigrants were as follows: Madrid, Castilla y León, Cantabria, Catalonia, and Andalusia. Between the five of them, they contributed 57.6% of the total immigrants from the rest of Spain.

Andalusia is the Autonomous Region that contributed the highest positive balance, with 201 people, and Castilla y León contributed the most negative balance, with -489.

The average age of immigrants decreased by almost two years, to 32.5, while the average age of emigrants was 37.3 years old. 50% of immigrations and 47% of emigrations were by people in the 20-39 age group.

The differences in relation to gender continued to decrease: men represented 51% of immigrants and women 49%, similarly 53% of emigrants were men and 47% were women.

Almost 72% of immigrants and 46% of emigrants were foreign nationals

Immigration of foreign nationals stood at 42,499 in 2022, of which 6,840 came from other Autonomous Regions, predominantly Madrid, Catalonia and Andalusia, and 35,659 came from abroad.

Emigrations of foreign nationals rose to 17,153, accounting for 46% of the total. The destination for 69% of them was abroad. Therefore, the balance of foreign nationals was positive by 25,346.

61% of the changes of residence among the Basque population occurred within the Autonomous Region of the Basque Country itself

11.3% of the Basque population changed their place of residence in 2022, with this mobility being within the Basque Country on 61% of occasions, whilst in the other cases the mobility was extra-community.

In total, 247,151 changes of normal place of residence were recorded in the Basque Country. Of these, 96,718 were changes of address within the same municipality. Intra-community mobility, in other words, where the origin and destination are different municipalities of the Basque Country, increased to 54,216 movements.

There were also 59,194 cases of extra-community or external immigration, which are those that have their origin outside the Autonomous Region and where the destination is the Basque Country. Of these cases, 39,264 came from abroad, double the figure from 2021 (19,615 people).

Finally, there were 37,023 cases of external or extra-community emigration, in other words, changes in the place of residence from a municipality of the Autonomous Region to a destination outside the region, 43% (15,939) of which were abroad.

For further information:

Eustat - Euskal Estatistika Erakundea / Basque Statistics Institute C/ Donostia-San Sebastián, 1 01010 Vitoria-Gasteiz Press Service: servicioprensa@eustat.eus Tel.: 945 01 75 62