The United States has long been a sought-after destination for immigrants looking for better opportunities. As of 2023, nearly 48 million people living in the country were born abroad, making up about 14% of the nation’s total population.
In this report, Visual Capitalist’s Marcus Lu highlights the largest immigrant groups in America by nationality, focusing on the top 10 countries from each region.
Data & Insights
The data for this report comes from the Migration Policy Institute (MPI), which details the number of foreign-born residents in the U.S. as of 2023.
Americas: 25.3 million Immigrants
Mexico remains the leading source of immigrants, with nearly 11 million as of 2023. Factors such as historical connections, geographic proximity, and established migration patterns play significant roles. Other notable Latin American countries include El Salvador, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic.
Following the Americas, Asia and Oceania comprise the next largest source of U.S. immigrants. India, with 2.9 million, is the second-largest contributor after Mexico, while China (2.2 million) and the Philippines (2.05 million) also rank among the top five.
Fact: In 2024, Indian students made up nearly 30% of all international students in the U.S.
Europe: 4.8 million Immigrants
Once the primary source of immigrants to America, Europe’s share has declined over the years. However, the combined total from European nations remains significant, albeit spread across many countries.
Africa: The Least Represented
Africa has the smallest immigrant population in the U.S. Historical MPI data shows that the annual number of new permanent residents from Africa has grown slowly and inconsistently, possibly due to increasing ties between Africa and China.
