How much immigration was there in Western Europe at the beginning of the 20th century?

[Ruggery]

It is obvious that there was nothing like there is now, but I am curious to know if at that time when there was so much or little immigration, when I talk about immigrants I am referring to non-Europeans.

[thatoneton]

It is obvious that there was nothing like there is now, but I am curious to know if at that time when there was so much or little immigration, when I talk about immigrants I am referring to non-Europeans.

Obviously less than now, but see for example:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Histor...n#South_Asians

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigr...France#History

There was some immigration from the colonies to metropoles, like from North Africa to France and from India to Great Britain.

[Ruggery]

Obviously less than now, but see for example:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Histor...n#South_Asians

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigr...France#History

There was some immigration from the colonies to metropoles, like from North Africa to France and from India to Great Britain.

I suppose that at that time immigrating to the metropolis was not easy at all and the governments did not allow it like now.

[thatoneton]

I suppose that at that time immigrating to the metropolis was not easy at all and the governments did not allow it like now.

It was definitely more costly and harder for a person not knowing the reality of living in a foreign country. So I assume it was not possible for an average colonies' inhabitant due to the cost of moving somewhere else and inability of finding employment there.

I don't know much about the specific laws from the time period, but considering the above I'm pretty certain it was not in any way promoted, unlike what's now.

[Tooting Carmen]

If anything there was more intra-European immigration compared to now, especially from Portugal, Spain and Italy to France, as well as Poland to France and Britain.
EDIT: I see you did say non-Europeans. But still, believe it or not in the first half of the 20th century the foreign-born percentage in France was actually higher than now.

[Ruggery]

If anything there was more intra-European immigration compared to now, especially from Portugal, Spain and Italy to France, as well as Poland to France and Britain.
EDIT: I see you did say non-Europeans. But still, believe it or not in the first half of the 20th century the foreign-born percentage in France was actually higher than now.

Higher than now? oh really? With all the people that France received in the last 20-40 years.
And in the United Kingdom?

[Ruggery]

It was definitely more costly and harder for a person not knowing the reality of living in a foreign country. So I assume it was not possible for an average colonies' inhabitants due to the cost of moving somewhere else and inability of finding employment there.

I don't know much about the specific laws from the time period, but considering the above I'm pretty certain it was not in any way promoted, unlike what's now.

In addition to the fact that immigrants who do not work now have social assistance from European governments, I doubt that this assistance existed almost 100 years ago.

[Tooting Carmen]

Higher than now? oh really? With all the people that France received in the last 20-40 years.
And in the United Kingdom?

I believe that, at least in some years in the first half of the 20th century, around one third of people in France were born overseas - mostly Iberia, Italy and to a lesser degree Poland. The UK had some immigration from both the Commonwealth and the less affluent parts of Europe (many of them Jews in the latter's case), but certainly nothing like now and not even comparable to France back then.

[Erronkari]

I believe that, at least in some years in the first half of the 20th century, around one third of people in France were born overseas - mostly Iberia, Italy and to a lesser degree Poland. The UK had some immigration from both the Commonwealth and the less affluent parts of Europe (many of them Jews in the latter's case), but certainly nothing like now and not even comparable to France back then.

And what about Wales?
I am interested about this situation there...

[Tooting Carmen]

And what about Wales?
I am interested about this situation there...

The coal mines did attract immigration from Ireland, Poland, Spain and Italy in particular, as well as other parts of Britain of course. More specifically, Cardiff Bay has very long-established Somali and Yemeni populations. As for the post-war era, there has been some Commonwealth and European immigration, though much less than in London, Midlands, Yorkshire and Lancashire of course. However, recent years have seen lots of foreign students, doctors and asylum-seekers in particular come to live here, as well as some Eastern European workers in farms, factories and the service sector.