The number of migrant workers employed in Devon jumped by about 50 per cent between April 1, 2005 and March 31, 2006, a new report suggests.
The Community Council of Devon report reveals there were 5,960 migrant workers registering for a national insurance (NI) number in Devon in 2005/06, up from around 2,900 in the previous year.
The rate of increase has been accelerating since 2001/02, the report added.
Almost 1,200 Polish workers registered to work in Devon in 2005/06, more than four times that of any other country.
Devon was also a very popular destination for workers from Slovakia, India, South Africa and Lithuania.
The hotel and catering industry was the most popular sector for foreign workers, followed by factory, nursing and care, agriculture and food and drink.
The report aims to raise the profile of migrant workers, provide information to foreign workers and highlight the challenges they face.
It was produced on behalf of the Migrant Worker Multi-Agency Task Group.
According to the report, public sector organisations need to engage more effectively with migrant workers.
South West businesses employ about 5 per cent of the UK's total migrant working population.
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