It’s known as an immigrant nation, but today the U.S. ranks only 26th in immigrants per capita.
More immigrants come to the United States each year than any other nation. But the impact on our overall population is comparatively small. A per capita ranking of countries finds the U.S. only 26th in its number of immigrants. In 2012, we had 3.62 immigrants for every 1,000 people in the U.S. Qatar ranks first with more than 40 immigrants per 1,000 population.
Qatar’s booming economy gets the credit, luring migrants in search of jobs. And most find work; immigrant unemployment in Qatar is 0.3 percent, though working conditions can be poor amid the prosperity.
See our infographic for more on immigration’s relative impact, here and around the world. See “What Do Others Say?” Then add to the discussion below. Does today’s fact surprise you? Does it make you think any differently about immigration?