Törzs
INTEGRATING IMMIGRANTS: NEW STUDY RANKS COUNTRIES IN EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA
Press release
28 February 2011 A new study published today by the British Council and the Migration Policy Group shows that great disparities exist in how Europe is integrating its 21 million immigrants.
The Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX: www.mipex.eu) contrasts and compares integration policies across 31 countries in Europe and North America. Results show that while change is happening at a very slow pace, there are still many obstacles to how immigrants live, work and participate in our societies.
The study benchmarks whether governments grant equal rights, responsibilities, and opportunities for all residents – nternational 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.
The major findings in this 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 (e.g. the Nordic countries, USA and Canada).
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 (e.g. Sweden and the UK) although 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.
“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 “
Rosemary Hilhorst OBE, Regional Director EU Europe, British Council
“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.”
Cecilia Malmström, European Commissioner for Home Affairs
For more about MIPEX and to use the online tool: www.mipex.eu
Twitter tag: #MIPEX
Facts about the Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX III)
• The 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.
Facts about the British Council
• The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations.
We help to foster the understanding between different cultures and of Britain overseas, which contributes to creating a safer, more stable UK. We focus on the arts, English language, Education and Society.
• We operate in over 100 countries and territories worldwide.
• We are a non-political organisation which operates at arm’s length from government.
• Our income in 2009/10 was £705 million of which our grant-in-aid from the British government is £211 million. In total, we generated £2.50 for every £1 of public money received.
Facts 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)