Thursday, July 14, 2011

2.5% intra-EU migration, only 4% non-EU immigrants in the EU!

According to the Eurostat, "Foreign citizens made up 6.5% of the EU27
population in 2010 Foreign-born people accounted for 9.4% of the EU27 population"


But I do no see why the Eurostat's press release headline merged the number of intra-EU and non-EU "immigrants.

Out of the total 6,5% of the 500 million EU27 population, the 6.5% includes two parts:

a) 2.5% of inta-EU27 "immigrants"

b) 4.0% immigrants from the rest of the world (ie non-EU)

The 4% figure is lower than some would imagine and puts a dent in the complaints re "foreigners" in the EU!

It would be interesting to know how the 2.5% internal migration of the EU27 population (citizens) in 2010 compare with the intra-USA one!

Which interests will prevail in EU trade policy?

A key strategic question is whether Germany still relies on Euro & EU markets for its exports or can rely on China et al.


Different exporters in Germany and the rest of the Eurozone17 have different geo-strategic trade interests: Some prefer the Eurozone, some the opportunities in China et al, etc!


For a large % of Eurozone export & other firms, a EU exit from the WTO would be a blessing (inter alia, it would curb Chinese exports to the EU and its Eurozone that compete with many made in Eurozone products) . For many, a curse. 


Of course, in that scenario, EU trade would be conducted on the basis of existing or new bilateral agreements of the EU with countries (China, USA, India) or groups (eg Mercosur, ASEAN etc)


Which interests will prevail in EU trade as well as other policies (eg the implicit exchange rate policy of the Euro)?