How Many Chinese are Living in Europe? A Demographic (De)Construction

This chapter discusses the statistics on the Chinese population in Europe and explains the difficulties inherent in answering the question: How many Chinese are residing in Europe? The research literature on the Chinese population in the world, and especially in Europe, is reviewed through various official data sources. These include the United Nations Division of Population (UNDESA), the European Union’s Eurostat, and OECD’s international migration statistics, as well as the statistics on the Chinese diaspora produced by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Taiwan (officially, the Republic of China, ROC). Each of these official sources of demographic data defines Europe and the Chinese diaspora in different ways. In addition, each country employs its own methods for compiling statistics on migrants, other visa holders, and ethnic groups. Based on these conflicting sources, this chapter summarizes the diverse official estimates of the Chinese population in the world and in different European countries. It then offers alternative sources of data that hold promise for future studies of Europe’s Chinese diaspora, particularly Eurostat statistics on valid residence permits. The chapter concludes by suggesting demographic analysis shift focus from determining precise migrant totals to identifying trends that can help scholars and policymakers understand the complexities of Chinese migration in Europe.