Catherine Wihtol de Wenden

This article by Catherine Wihtol de Wenden analyzes the migratory dynamics that make Europe one of the world's leading immigration destinations, despite the persistent reluctance of member states to fully embrace this status. Drawing on a scientific study based on demographic, legal, and geopolitical data, the article traces the evolution of Europe from a former land of emigration to a land of reception, examining the diversification of flows, migrant profiles, and countries of origin. The author demonstrates that European policies, dominated by a security-driven logic, remain structurally out of step with migratory realities. The main contribution lies in the analysis of the contradictions between border closures, economic needs, and foreseeable demographic aging by 2030, which necessitate a overhaul of European migration policies toward greater freedom of movement and multilateral governance.