Europe’s silent brain drain

In 17 out of 19 European countries, more people are leaving than returning. Germany tops the list with a net loss of 91,000 people in 2024, followed by Italy with just under 65,000 and Spain with over 31,000. Since 2005, the loss in Germany has totaled over one million people, roughly equivalent to the population of Cologne. Only two countries in Europe have reversed the trend: Bulgaria and Lithuania, once the worst-hit by emigration, are now recording a net increase again.