Integrating migrants: New study assesses progress of countries in Europe and North America
28 February 2011
A new study published today shows that great disparities exist in how countries across Europe and North America are integrating the millions of immigrants who are legally living in the region.
The Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX: www.mipex.eu) compares and contrasts integration policies across 31 countries in Europe and North America. Results show that, while change is gradually happening, there are still many obstacles to how immigrants integrate into our societies.
The study, which was funded by the European Commission, has been carried out by the British Council and the Migration Policy Group, with support from around 40 national organisations across Europe and North America. In the UK, the project’s partners are the Runnymede Trust and the Immigration Advisory Service.
The report benchmarks whether governments grant equal rights, responsibilities, and opportunities for all residents – international standards that have been agreed upon by EU Member States. These high standards are critical, as successful integration helps create more competitive and cohesive societies.
MIPEX is intended to help policy-makers decide how best to integrate legal migrants into society. The results are available in an advanced online tool, which allows users to explore the results, and see the potential affects that different policies could have on integration. This is the third edition of MIPEX – with previous studies having been carried out in 2004 and 2007.
The major findings in the new study include:
Political Participation / Citizenship
Generally, migrants are still discouraged from becoming politically active or gaining full citizenship, although the trend in reforming countries is to open voting rights, dual nationality and birthright citizenship (e.g. Portugal, Greece, Luxembourg).
Education
Policies are generally failing to address the needs of a new generation of diverse students with few schools required to help teachers, migrant students, and parents address migrants’ specific needs. However there are several countries that are leading in this area (including the Nordic countries and Canada) – and UK schools are some of the best prepared for migrant pupils, with a strong commitment to intercultural education.
Labour Mobility
Most countries guarantee equal and secure rights to work for reunited families and long-term residents. However, they are asked to fulfil more requirements that many nationals could not (income, age limits, tests without support to pass).
Nearly all countries guarantee legal migrants equal working conditions and access to unions once they begin working. But nearly half exclude migrant workers, who pay full taxes, from parts of the social security system.
Anti-discrimination
Anti-discrimination laws are being strengthened in many countries – and the UK has some of the strongest. However, very few have strong policies and bodies to promote equality in society.
Overall, countries tend to score around 50 on the MIPEX 100-point scale and, since the second edition of MIPEX, have only increased 1 point on average. Most countries are creating as many opportunities as obstacles for immigrants to become equal members of society.
The report provides a snapshot of the situation when the research was carried out in May 2010 – therefore some changes have already taken place. For example, the UK research reflects the policies of the previous government. The UK’s position in the overall ranking (12th) was heavily influenced by the ‘earned citizenship’ element of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009, which is not now being pursued by the current coalition government.
The British Council is involved in the project as part of its role is to foster greater understanding between cultures - and the integration of legal migrants is one of the major cultural relations issues of the day. Rosemary Hilhorst OBE, the British Council’s Regional Director for EU Europe, said: “With the third phase of MIPEX research we aim to provide reliable information to governments, civic institutions and the wider public to compare migrant integration policies across countries and over time. This will encourage more informed discussion on best practice and enable
better future policies “
Cecilia Malmström, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, said: “Over the years the MIPEX continues to be a valuable tool for mapping and assessing existing integration policies in the European Union. I am pleased to support this initiative […] it is worthwhile to note that many Member States generally perform better in terms of migrant integration policies in those areas where Union law exists.”
For further information on the study or to interview Rosemary Hilhorst, the British Council’s Regional Director for EU Europe, please contact Mark Moulding, Press Officer, on +44 (0) 207 389 4889 or e-mail mark.moulding@britishcouncil.org.
For more about MIPEX and to use the online tool: www.mipex.eu
Twitter tag: #MIPEX
Notes to Editors
Facts about the Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX III)
- MIPEX compares and ranks countries’ scores across 148 policy indicators. It provides objective and comparable data presented in a reference guide and an interactive online tool to help policymakers, civil society advocates and researchers assess, compare and improve integration.
- Countries included in this study: all 27 EU member states, Norway, Switzerland, Canada and the USA
- The Index has been co-financed by the European Community under the European Integration Fund. The British Council is project managing the initiative with the lead research partner, the Migration Policy Group. Over 37 national-level partners have contributed to the Index study.
- The first edition of MIPEX was published in 2004 and the second edition in 2007, leading to its use by governments, press, civil society organisations. See www.mipex.eu for more information.
- MIPEX III adds countries (Bulgaria, Romania and the USA), a policy strand (Education), and new indicators (labour market integration and the implementation of policies).
- MIPEX III is not a study of migration; it is about integration of legal migrants. It does not look at increasing or decreasing influxes of migrants but instead considers best practice for those legally in country.
- The responsibility of ideas or opinions expressed in the Index lies with the authors of the project. Neither the British Council nor the European Commission is responsible for those ideas or opinions or for any use that may be made of them.
- All research partners are scholars and experts on their countries’ integration policies, independent from government and experienced in comparative research. All data has undergone anonymous peer reviews and extensive quality and consistency checks.
- The study mainly defines Europe immigrants as legal residents in the EU 27 who are nationals of non-EU countries.
- See the EU’s Stockholm Programme for more information on EU commitment to integration: http://bit.ly/hq0rKd.
- See the EU’s 2020 Strategy for more on the benefits of successful integration: http://ec.europa.eu/europe2020/index_en.htm.
About the British Council
The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. We work in over 100 countries worldwide to build opportunity and trust for the UK through the exchange of knowledge and ideas between people. We work in the Arts, English, Education and Society, including science and sport - and in the process contribute to the security and prosperity of the UK and the countries where we work. Last year we engaged face to face with 18.4 million people and reached 652 million. We are a non-political organisation which operates at arm’s length from government. Our total turnover in 2009/10 was £705 million, of which our grant-in-aid from the British government was £211 million. For every £1 of government grant we receive, we earn £2.50 from other sources. For more information, please visit: www.britishcouncil.org
About the Migration Policy Group
The Migration Policy Group is an independent non-profit European think-tank committed to contributing to lasting and positive change resulting in open and inclusive societies (www.migpolgroup.org).
About the Runnymede Trust
The Runnymede Trust is a social policy research organisation focused on race equality and race relations. It works by:
- Identifying barriers to race equality and good race relations
- Enabling effective action for social change
- Influencing policy at all levels through providing thought leadership and robust evidence
Further information is available on the Runnymede website: www.runnymedetrust.org
