Brasília – The international crisis, which reached the main countries of the euro zone has increased the demand for Latin America and the Caribbean. The conclusion is in a study disclosed on Friday (5) by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). The document shows that 107,000 Europeans left the continent from 2008 to 2009.
According to the report, migration also involves people with dual nationality. Most of the Europeans are seeking Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela and Mexico. The main countries of origin are Spain (47,701), Germany (20,926), the Netherlands (17,168) and Italy (15,701).
The members who leave Europe towards Latin America and the Caribbean have a defined profile, according to the study. Most are single male youths, with higher education, generally in social science and civil engineering.
The study shows that there is still interregional migration – around 4 million people left their countries of origin to neighbouring nations, in the same region. Most are from Colombia, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Haiti, Chile and Bolivia. The main destinations for interregional migration are Argentina, Venezuela, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic.
The flows of immigrants from the European Union to the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States reached US$ 7.25 billion in 2010. Transfers of Latin Americans to Europe totalled US$ 4.66 billion in the same period. The flow of funds within Latin America reached US$ 4.57 billion in 2010, benefitting mainly Colombia, Nicaragua and Paraguay, as well as Venezuela, Costa Rica and Argentina.
The study shows that at least 4.29 million Latin Americans still live in Spain, in the United Kingdom, in the Netherlands, Italy and France. According to the document, over 1.25 million Europeans reside in countries in Latin America.
*Translated by Mark Ament
