Brussels, 13/12/2010 (Agence Europe) - According to Eurostat, money transferred by migrants to their countries of origin fell 7% in 2009, to €30.3 billion (compared to €30.6 billion in 2008). These figures include both intra-EU27 and extra-EU27 flows. The proportion of funds sent outside the EU27 was 73% of the total in 2009, unchanged from 2008, according to Eurostat.
Total amounts sent by expatriate workers in 2009 were highest in Spain (€7.1 billion, 22% of all funds sent from the EU27), Italy (€6.8 billion; 21%), Germany (€3 billion; 9%) France (€2.8 billion; 9%) and the Netherlands (€1.5 billion; 5%).
A drop in amounts sent was observed in most of the member states in 2009 compared to 2008. The sharpest drops were noted in Spain (from €7.9 billion to €7.1 billion) and in France (from €3.4 billion to €2.8 billion). The greatest increase was registered in Italy (from €6.4 billion to €6.8 billion). (com-G.B./transl.fl)