An indication of the increasingly cosmopolitan nature of the population of the Isle of Man is given in a reply to a Tynwald question.
Last year, people from over 80 countries had permits allowing them to work in the Island either issued for the first time or renewed.
Taking new applications and renewals together, over 9,500 work permits were issued in 2009, 69 per cent of them to people from the United Kingdom.
A further 20 per cent - around 1,900 - went to applicants from other countries in the European Union.
Apart from the UK, the country with the most permits issued was Poland, with well over 700.
The top six was completed by the Republic of Ireland, with a little over 300; the Philippines with around 200; South Africa, with 142; Slovakia, with 91; and Bulgaria on 87.
The information was provided for Michael MHK David Cannan, by Trade and Industry Minister David Cretney.
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