We have the pleasure to inform you that the Prague Process has introduced the regular update of the country factsheets, now featuring the latest migration-related trends and policy developments in Czech Republic, Italy and Malta.
Here are a couple of highlights that offer a glimpse into recent developments. Explore the full version of the factsheets to review the detailed analysis and data.
Czech Republic: Migration drives population growth
- Positive net migration represents the primary component of population (10.9 million by the end of 2024) growth, offsetting persistent natural decline due to low fertility and ageing.
- As of May 2025, Czechia remained among the top host countries for displaced persons from Ukraine, with some 394,985 persons under temporary protection.
- In 2024, Czech labour market employed an estimated 942,328 foreign workers, which accounted for approximately 18.6% of the total workforce of 4.23 million.
Italy: Rising labour migration quota and new citizenship law
- To manage labour migration, the Italian government annually establishes entry quotas for non-EU foreign through an ad-hoc Flows Decree. In 2024, Italy’s Flows Decree raised the entry cap to 151,000 (61,250 non-seasonal, 89,050 seasonal, 700 self-employed), up from 136,000 in 2023; the 2025 quota will rise to 165,000, and a draft 2026-28 decree envisions 497,550 work visas overall.
- In 2024, 108,925 non-EU nationals were found to be illegally present in Italy, a decrease compared to 2022 and 2023, possibly linked to tighter border controls. Most persons disembarking in Italy come from Bangladesh, Eritrea, Pakistan and Egypt, with children accounting for 18.6% of them.
- In May 2025, Italy enacted a more restrictive citizenship law. Eligibility by descent is now limited to individuals with a parent or grandparent born in Italy, ending access for those with more distant ancestors.
Malta: Reshaping its labour migration policy
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In 2024, Malta hosted 173,700 foreigners, accounting for 30.9% of its total population, representing the second highest share of foreign-born in the resident population in the EU after Luxembourg.
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In response to the rapid growth of economy and growing reliance on foreign labour force, in early 2024 Malta launched the ‘Specialist Employee Initiative’, a fast-track procedure aimed at attracting skilled foreign workers to fill labour market gaps. A year later, the country proposed a new Malta Labour Migration Policy.
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While irregular sea arrivals declined, the number of non-EU nationals found to be illegally present in Malta remained relatively stable: 1,780 individuals in 2024 compared to 1,695 in 2023 and 1,405 in 2022.
All the factsheets can be accessed through the interactive map here.
The factsheets offer concise and valuable insights in the migration landscape of these countries, providing data from both national and international sources. They also highlight key developments in migration policies and legislation. While the national data is updated by the Secretariat and ICMPD colleagues as well as external experts, the data from international sources is refreshed automatically as it becomes available.
Our Repository contains the latest publications of the Migration Observatory and Training Academy of the Prague Process.
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