(CFP Photo)

VALLETTA, March 27 (Xinhua) -- Malta had the highest rate of immigrants in the European Union (EU) in 2022, according to data published by Eurostat on Wednesday.

The data revealed that 5.1 million people immigrated to the EU from non-EU countries, while one million emigrated from the EU to destinations outside the EU in the year under review.

The inflow of immigrants from non-EU countries more than doubled compared to the estimated 2.4 million in 2021, while the number of EU residents emigrating outside the EU remained stable, according to the EU's statistical office.

In terms of the size of the resident population, Malta recorded the highest immigration rate in 2022 with 66 immigrants per 1,000 residents, followed by Luxembourg (48) and Estonia (37).

Meanwhile, Slovakia registered the lowest immigration rate with one immigrant per 1,000 residents, followed by Bulgaria and France, both with six immigrants per 1,000 residents.

In 2022, the EU as a whole saw an estimated 11 immigrants from non-EU countries per 1,000 residents.