European societies – L4
4 Labour market integration of immigrants in Europe
Check PowerPoints for all the graphs and for notes *
4.1 Setting the scene
Immigrants play a growing role in European labour markets *
In 2023, 13% of European residents were foreign-born
The size of immigrant populations varies strongly across European
countries
The foreign-born population has steadily increased in recent years:+16.5
million immigrants between 2015 and 2023 (equivalent to 3.5% of the total
European population)
This means that understanding how immigrants integrate into labour
markets is increasingly important for understanding European labour
markets more generally.
Most immigrants in Europe are long-term residents *
Public debates often focus on recent migration inflows, but most
immigrants have been in their host country for many years
In 2023, fewer than one in five immigrants had arrived within the previous
five years
However, these aggregate figures mask important cross-country
differences in the share of recent immigrants
European countries differ not only in the size but also in the composition of
their immigrant populations.
Most immigrants in Europe come from other European countries *
Contrary to common perceptions, most immigrants in Europe are not from
outside the continent
Most people are from within Europe
In 2023, 54% of foreign-born residents in the EU originated from another
European country
At the same time, the regional origin of immigrants varies strongly across
countries
Tertiary education is nearly as common among immigrants as among
natives in Europe *
On average, about one-third of both immigrants and natives hold a
university degree
At the same time, immigrants are more likely to have only lower secondary
education or less (one in three vs one in six among natives)
Countries with more highly educated native workforces tend to attract
more highly educated migrants
What do we mean by immigrant integration?
1
, European societies – L4
Broad definition (IOM)
Integration is a two-way process of mutual adaptation between migrants
and host societies
Migrants become incorporated into the social, economic, cultural, and
political life of the receiving country
Integration involves shared responsibilities between migrants and the host
society
Focus of this lecture
Labour market integration refers to the extent to which migrants achieve
similar levels of labour market participation as nationals by using their
skills and realising their economic potential (European Commission
definition)
Key indicators: employment status, labour market participation, job quality
What are the benefits of successful economic integration?
For receiving countries = economic consequences and benefits
Expands the labour force and supports economic growth
Helps address labour shortages in ageing societies
o New people help with jobs that can’t be filled
Strengthens public finances through taxes and contributions
o They will all play taxes and so on
Increases productivity through better use of migrants’ skills
Improves social cohesion and public perceptions of migration
o It will benefit social cohesion
o Like discrimination attitudes, people get more open minded
For migrants and their families
Provides economic independence and higher living standards
o Have own job and wage
Allows migrants to use and develop their skills
Facilitates social integration through workplace interactions
o Workplace is very important aspect of social life
o More interaction with natives
Creates better opportunities for their children
o School has benefits
For countries of origin if you have more success abroad:
Generates remittances that reduce poverty and support investment in
education and health
o You can pay more for your family
Facilitates knowledge and skills transfer through diaspora networks
Enables return migration with new skills and experience
o If they go back to their country they will come back with new
knowledge
2
4 Labour market integration of immigrants in Europe
Check PowerPoints for all the graphs and for notes *
4.1 Setting the scene
Immigrants play a growing role in European labour markets *
In 2023, 13% of European residents were foreign-born
The size of immigrant populations varies strongly across European
countries
The foreign-born population has steadily increased in recent years:+16.5
million immigrants between 2015 and 2023 (equivalent to 3.5% of the total
European population)
This means that understanding how immigrants integrate into labour
markets is increasingly important for understanding European labour
markets more generally.
Most immigrants in Europe are long-term residents *
Public debates often focus on recent migration inflows, but most
immigrants have been in their host country for many years
In 2023, fewer than one in five immigrants had arrived within the previous
five years
However, these aggregate figures mask important cross-country
differences in the share of recent immigrants
European countries differ not only in the size but also in the composition of
their immigrant populations.
Most immigrants in Europe come from other European countries *
Contrary to common perceptions, most immigrants in Europe are not from
outside the continent
Most people are from within Europe
In 2023, 54% of foreign-born residents in the EU originated from another
European country
At the same time, the regional origin of immigrants varies strongly across
countries
Tertiary education is nearly as common among immigrants as among
natives in Europe *
On average, about one-third of both immigrants and natives hold a
university degree
At the same time, immigrants are more likely to have only lower secondary
education or less (one in three vs one in six among natives)
Countries with more highly educated native workforces tend to attract
more highly educated migrants
What do we mean by immigrant integration?
1
, European societies – L4
Broad definition (IOM)
Integration is a two-way process of mutual adaptation between migrants
and host societies
Migrants become incorporated into the social, economic, cultural, and
political life of the receiving country
Integration involves shared responsibilities between migrants and the host
society
Focus of this lecture
Labour market integration refers to the extent to which migrants achieve
similar levels of labour market participation as nationals by using their
skills and realising their economic potential (European Commission
definition)
Key indicators: employment status, labour market participation, job quality
What are the benefits of successful economic integration?
For receiving countries = economic consequences and benefits
Expands the labour force and supports economic growth
Helps address labour shortages in ageing societies
o New people help with jobs that can’t be filled
Strengthens public finances through taxes and contributions
o They will all play taxes and so on
Increases productivity through better use of migrants’ skills
Improves social cohesion and public perceptions of migration
o It will benefit social cohesion
o Like discrimination attitudes, people get more open minded
For migrants and their families
Provides economic independence and higher living standards
o Have own job and wage
Allows migrants to use and develop their skills
Facilitates social integration through workplace interactions
o Workplace is very important aspect of social life
o More interaction with natives
Creates better opportunities for their children
o School has benefits
For countries of origin if you have more success abroad:
Generates remittances that reduce poverty and support investment in
education and health
o You can pay more for your family
Facilitates knowledge and skills transfer through diaspora networks
Enables return migration with new skills and experience
o If they go back to their country they will come back with new
knowledge
2
