European immigrants still make up a substantial portion of the immigrant population in the United States, accounting for approximately 10% of the 46.2 million immigrants in the country. However, the number of Europeans coming to the US has been declining, particularly from western and southern Europe, as many Europeans prefer to migrate within their own continent. The European expat community in America has slightly decreased since the 1980s, with the majority of arrivals in recent years coming from eastern Europe.
After the fall of the Berlin Wall, there was a shift in the origin of European immigrants to the US, with a majority coming from eastern Europe. However, the share of immigrants from western and southern Europe has been steadily decreasing since the early 2000s. Currently, 41% of all European migrants in America are immediate relatives of US citizens, while 30% were granted green cards based on employment preferences. The states with the highest concentration of European immigrants are New York and California, where 15% and 14% of European migrants reside, respectively.
The largest nationality among European migrants in the US is British, accounting for 14% of the population, followed by German, Ukrainian, Russian, Polish, and Italian immigrants. The war in Ukraine has also had a significant impact on European migration to the US, with an estimated 186,000 Ukrainians arriving in the country through various means. On average, European immigrants in the US tend to be older than immigrants from other regions, with an average age of 54 compared to 47 for all immigrants.
Overall, there are approximately 63.3 million European migrants in the world, with the majority residing within Europe itself. While European migration to the US has been declining in recent years, the country continues to attract a diverse group of European immigrants from various countries and backgrounds. The trend of European immigrants preferring to migrate within their own continent may continue, but the US remains an attractive destination for many Europeans seeking new opportunities and experiences.
