Photographs: Fabrizio Bensch/Reuters
There are some countries that attract large numbers of foreigners due to their high standard of living, excellent infrastructure and employment opportunities.
Let's take a look at nations that have sizeable share of immigrant population.
Source: 24/7 Wall St
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Eight countries that have biggest share of immigrants
Image: A view of Times Square in New York City.Photographs: Chip East/Reuters
United States of America
Immigrants: 45.8 million
Percentage of population: 14.3 per cent
GDP (PPP) per capita 2012: $49,922
Government's immigration goals: Maintain
Overall rank in share: 1
The United States has been attracting immigrants for centuries primarily due to endless opportunities the country offers.
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Eight countries that have biggest share of immigrants
Image: A couple walk with a cat in Kolomenskoye Park in Moscow, Russia.Photographs: Denis Sinyakov/Reuters
Russia
Immigrants: 11.0 million
Percentage of population: 7.7 per cent
GDP (PPP) per capita 2012: $17,709
Government's immigration goals: Increase
Overall rank in share: 2
Russia, which has one of the biggest oil and gas reserves in the world, is attracting immigrants from all over the globe, especially from neighbouring nations.
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Eight countries that have biggest share of immigrants
Image: A view of the main railway station Hauptbahnhof in Berlin, Germany.Photographs: Fabrizio Bensch/Reuters
Germany
Immigrants: 9.8 million
Percentage of population: 11.9 per cent
GDP (PPP) per capita 2012: $39,028
Government's immigration goals: Maintain
Overall rank in share: 3
Germany, one of the biggest manufacturing centres in the world, is attracting immigrants due to its booming economy.
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Eight countries that have biggest share of immigrants
Image: Kingdom Tower in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.Photographs: Ali Jarekji/Reuters
Saudi Arabia
Immigrants: 9.1 million
Percentage of population: 31.4 per cent
GDP (PPP) per capita 2012: $31,275
Government's immigration goals: Decrease
Overall rank in share: 4
Saudi Arabia, which has one of the biggest reserves of oil and gas in the world, attracts immigrants due to employment opportunities.
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Eight countries that have biggest share of immigrants
Image: Visitors ski and ride in chairlifts in mountain-themed ski park at Emirates Mall in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.Photographs: Ahmed Jadallah/Reuters
United Arab Emirates
Immigrants: 7.8 million
Percentage of population: 83.7 per cent
GDP (PPP) per capita 2012: $49,012
Government's immigration goals: Decrease
Overall rank in share: 5
United Arab Emirates attracts large number of immigrants due to employment opportunities, excellent infrastructure and high standard of living.
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Eight countries that have biggest share of immigrants
Image: A view from the London Eye shows the Houses of Parliament in central London, United Kingdom.Photographs: John Goh/Reuters
United Kingdom
Immigrants: 7.8 million
Percentage of population: 12.4 per cent
GDP (PPP) per capita 2012: $36,941
Government's immigration goals: Decrease
Overall rank in share: 6
United Kingdom, one of the biggest financial centres in the world, has large number of immigrants from Commonwealth countries.
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Eight countries that have biggest share of immigrants
Image: An aerial view shows the Notre-Dame Cathedral on the Ile de la Cite and the Seine River in Paris, France.Photographs: Charles Platiau/Reuters
France
Immigrants: 7.4 million
Percentage of population: 11.6 per cent
GDP (PPP) per capita 2012: $35,548
Government's immigration goals: Decrease
Overall rank in share: 7
France, one of the richest economies in the world, has large number of immigrants from African nations.
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Eight countries that have biggest share of immigrants
Image: A view of Eaton Centre in Toronto, Canada.Photographs: Stringer/Reuters
Canada
Immigrants: 7.3 million
Percentage of population: 20.7 per cent
GDP (PPP) per capita 2012: $42,734
Government's immigration goals: Maintain
Overall rank in share: 8
Canada, one of the wealthiest nations, attracts large number of immigrants thanks to high standard of living, low crime rate and natural beauty.
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