EU remittances back on the increase in 2010

International migration receives growing attention, as it has large implications for growth and welfare in both countries of origin and destination. Eurostat regularly publishes data related to workers' remittances and compensation of employees. Workers' remittances are mainly related to migrants who tend to stay for a long time, whereas compensation of employees is linked to cross-border and seasonal workers.

After a temporary decrease in 2009, compensation of employees is back on the increase in 2010 at €46.9 bn. Outflows of workers' remittances also rose to €31.2 bn, compared with €30.4 bn in 2009 (+3%). Despite the growing trend, total outflows of remittances and compensation of employees in the EU at €78.1 bn in 2010 remained 1% below their 2008 record level of €79.2 bn.