About 4m people emigrated to live permanently in rich countries in 2006, with the US and UK the most popular destinations, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development reported yesterday.

The total number of immigrants to OECD countries was 5 per cent higher than in previous years, with family reunification accounting for 44 per cent of the moves, and work for 14 per cent.

Seeking asylum has become less important, with inflows falling to 282,000 in 2006 – the lowest level since 1987 – representing only 7 per cent of permanent moves into OECD countries.

The US, with 1.26m immigrants, received a third of all permanent inflows, followed by the UK (343,200), Canada (251,600) Germany (216,000) and Italy (204,300).

Some of the largest increases were in the US, South Korea and Spain. But as a percentage of total population Ireland, New Zealand and Switzerland received the most immigrants – representing more than 1 per cent of their populations.

Family reunification was the biggest reason given by US immigrants, accounting for 70 per cent of permanent moves. Many European countries, among them Italy, Ireland, Spain and the UK, were more popular as destinations for job seekers, with work reasons accounting for 30-40 per cent of moves into these countries.

Sixty per cent of people moving to Europe were of European origin. Emigrants from Asia accounted for almost 50 per cent of moves to other OECD countries.

Europe was also the destination chosen by more than 85 per cent of people leaving North Africa. The US remained the country of choice for Latin American emigrants, mainly from Mexico. Portugal and Spain, however, were becoming more popular.

Some 20 countries accounted for 60 per cent of all emigrants to OECD countries with China, Poland and Romania accounting for the largest number.