'Millions' prepare to head west

Some east European cities are richer than areas of the EU

Up to four million east Europeans will take the first opportunity available to move westward after their countries join the European Union, according to a new German report.

Many parts of Europe have a declining population and this leads to a shrinking labour force so there will be a growing demand for more immigrants

Rainer Muenz
Report author

The German Migration Council says that despite increasing disillusionment with the EU and improved living standards at home, many people are already thinking about their move.

The preferred destinations will be Germany and Austria, as many speak German, but France and Britain are also seen as attractive options, according to the council's research.

The report, which is based on surveys, contradicts a substantial body of research which shows that many eastern Europeans are happy where they are.

Transition period

Ten formerly communist countries are candidates for EU membership, with several hoping to have joined the club by 2004.

Far-right parties in particular have made much of the alleged risks of enlargement, arguing that eastern Europeans will flood western labour markets and take jobs from indigenous workers.

Germany and Austria have pushed for a law restricting the free movement of labour from the east for up to seven years after their countries join.

One of the report's authors, Professor Rainer Muenz of Berlin's Humboldt University, denied that the work bolstered the arguments of anti-immigrant groups.

He told the BBC that the west will find it increasingly needs migrants.

"Many parts of Europe have a declining population and this leads to a shrinking labour force so there will be a growing demand for more immigrants - especially after 2010," he said.

"It's better if these people stay in Europe, and don't emigrate overseas to places like the United States, because that way they will contribute to our welfare and our economy, rather than to the US."