Germany Experiencing Surge in Immigration From Southern Europe

Biggest increase in 20 years

(Reuters) - An influx of people from crisis-hit southern European countries like Spain, Italy andGreece has led to the biggest surge in German immigration in nearly 20 years.

The Federal Statistics Office said 1.081 million immigrants flocked toGermany last year, up 13 percent from 2011 and the highest number since 1995.

Leading the way were arrivals from countries in eastern Europe and from southern euro zone countries struggling with recession and high unemployment as a result of the currency bloc's three-year old debt crisis.