Romania becomes top country of origin for migrants to Belgium in 2023

Romania overtook Ukraine as the leading source of foreign immigration to Belgium in 2023, according to the latest report by federal migration centre Myria. The country recorded 20,888 Romanian arrivals, representing 12 per cent of all foreign migrants, driven largely by labour migration.

The total number of immigrants to Belgium in 2023 reached 194,887, making it the second-highest year on record, though down 17 per cent from 2022, when Ukrainian arrivals surged due to the war. Romanians were followed by nationals from France (8 per cent), Ukraine (8 per cent), the Netherlands (5 per cent), Spain (4 per cent), and Morocco (4 per cent).

The Ukrainian conflict continued to influence migration patterns, though its impact lessened compared to the previous year. Ongoing arrivals from Ukraine (mostly women under temporary protection) still made up the largest group of third-country nationals receiving first residence permits.

Romanian migrants were predominantly men (14,655). 70 per cent received residence permits for paid work, far above the EU average. Ukrainians, in contrast, dominated in permits issued for temporary protection.

The majority of newcomers settled in the Brussels-Capital Region (30 per cent) and Antwerp (16 per cent). Emigration also rose to a record high, with 91,781 foreign nationals leaving Belgium in 2023, driven in part by Ukrainians returning home.

While EU nationals and third-country nationals returned to near-equal migration levels, 50 per cent of foreign immigration still came from other EU countries. Asia and Africa each accounted for around 15 per cent, with the Americas contributing 4 per cent.

^{Illustration picture shows people walking in Brussels © BELGA PHOTO HATIM KAGHAT}