Migrant Integration
Prepared by TNS Qual+
13th July 2011
This survey was conducted by TNS opinion & social at the request of the Directorate-General
Home Affairs. It was coordinated by the Directorate-General for Communication (“Research and
Speechwriting” Unit).
This document does not represent the point of view of the European Commission. The
interpretations and opinions contained in it are solely those of the authors.
Background
•
Over the last few decades international migration
has influenced the public policy agenda across
Europe and the wider world. Legal migration and
integration of third-country nationals are part of an
important debate today across the European Union.
All Member States are now confronted with
integration challenges.
Research objectives
•
TNS Qual+ was commissioned to conduct research
to understand:
– How nationals perceive non-EU migrants and
the extent to which they have contact
– Nationals and non-EU migrants views about:
• How government could improve integration
• What communities and individuals could do
to improve integration
• Approaches to integration that work
Research Approach
•
•
•
More than 500 EU citizens and 200 Non-EU migrants participated in this
Eurobarometer.
Research comprised of:
• Two focus groups each with a minimum of ten members of the general public (a
younger and an older group of participants) across all Member States (Survey 1).
• In 14 Member States selected on the basis of the numbers of non-EU migrants
entering and the feasibility of conducting the research (AT, BE, CZ, DK, DE, EL,
ES, FR, IT, PL, PL, SE, NL, UK) an additional focus group with a minimum of ten
participants was conducted. This focus group was composed of both first and
second generation migrants (Survey 2).
• In the same 14 Member States six in-depth interviews (Survey 3) were conducted
with migrants who were either young (18-30 years) and with lower levels of
education or older (25-45 years) with higher levels of education.
Fieldwork was completed March/ April 2011 in all 27 Member States
Personal experience
Personal experience of both the general public and
migrants
•
•
•
•
•
The general public and migrants are most likely to come into contact with each other at
work, followed by school (through their children)
The general public feel that the main barriers to interaction are language and a lack of
desire to interact on the part of migrants. Migrants feel that a combination of cultural
differences, stereotyping and a lack of understanding from the general public all limit
interaction.
It is widely accepted among the general public that migrants come looking for better
economic opportunities. However, there is a genuine fear amongst some members of the
general public that migrants are taking employment opportunities from local people.
Consequently, some people feel threatened by migrants and there is a tendency for them
to be more resistant to interaction and integration.
Across all Member States participants from the general public express both positive and
negative perceptions of migrants.
For some general public participants there is considerable confusion and a lack of
understanding about what constitutes a regular and an irregular migrant. For many general
public participants there is a strong association with migrants and criminal activities (such
as acquiring visas illegally, evading tax, involvement in corrupt business activities and so
on).
Both general public and migrants expressed the view that the media is
responsible for creating and reinforcing negative stereotypes of migrants.
Obstacles to contact
amongst general public
Obstacles to contact
amongst migrants
Difficulties communicating as a
result of migrants’ poorer language
skills
•
Easier to spend time with other migrants
•
Difficult to make friends
•
Perception that some migrants are
unwilling to integrate
•
Perceived stereotyping by the general public
•
Difficulties understanding cultural
differences including values and
religion
•
Cultural differences and mutual
misunderstandings
•
“The language, especially in the case of
Chinese people. Their kids go to school and
learn the language, but Chinese people who
work in stores only know numbers in Spanish.”
(Spain, General public, man, 18-35 years old)
“The Dutch neighbours have a
fence in their garden. You can call
it privacy, but I feel this really
strongly as a social distance - in
Turkey these fences are nonexistent.” (The Netherlands,
Turkish, ID interviews, first
generation)
Overall attitudes to migrant population amongst
general public
•
•
•
Mixed views expressed, often
negative but based mainly on
preconceptions and not experience
Positive views of migrants:
– Seen as hard working
– Add to cultural diversity
– Help economy
Negative views expressed:
– Take jobs from locals
– Evade tax, drain on social
welfare
– Associations with crime
– Unwilling to integrate (ghettos,
acceptance of local culture)
“It is an enrichment from every point of view, whether it is
cultural or linguistic. If I want to remain only with my own
people then I shouldn’t go on holiday either, or listen to
foreign music.” (Germany, General public, female, 45-70)
“If there were work for everyone it
would be perhaps easier to welcome
them and to feel better disposed
towards them, but the way things are it
is difficult” (Italy, General public,
female, 45-70)
“It would be better if the immigrants from
outside the EU would live here and there in
various neighbourhoods, not so that
everybody packs in the same area.” (Finland,
General public, male, 18-35)
Impact on economy
Perception of economic impact amongst general public
•
•
•
There are mixed opinions about the impact of
migrants on the economy among the general
public.
Negative views:
– Where there is high unemployment,
some considered that local people
should have work
– Migrants seen as “taking” jobs from
locals
Positive views slightly outweigh negative
views:
– Do jobs local people unwilling to do
– Replace those who have emigrated
– Can create economic growth
– Fill specific gaps in workforce
“You do get a lot of [UK Nationals] people who are
looking for jobs and have got the skills, but they’ll
go with someone who’s a little bit cheaper” (UK,
General public, female, 18-35).
“It is quite important since there are not
enough Finnish people to be willing to work in
low-wage jobs. So the people coming outside
EU are going to fill that gap.” (Finland,
General public, male, 18-35)
“It is important in a way,
because we have a lot of
emigrants. We need to fill the
jobs that were left behind
somehow.” [Romania, general
public, female, 18-35]
Perception of economic impact amongst migrants
•
•
Majority view is that they do jobs local
people are not interested in doing:
– Type of work not of interest to
locals
– Wages seen as too low for locals
Consider they contribute to the
economy in many ways
– Working for lower salaries than
local people
– Paying taxes
– Spending money
– Filling otherwise vacant positions
– Bringing new knowledge/
perspectives
– Starting new businesses
“I work and I pay the taxes, I am the same as all
the others” (Italy, 1st generation, 28, Moroccan)
“With the ageing of the population, and the
Belgian trend of having less children… The
contribution of the immigration is that it will
save the labour force” (Belgium, 1st
generation, Congo)
“We run restaurants or shops, it is rare for us to
rely on others” (Italy, 1st generation, 28, low level
education, Chinese)
Both groups mainly envisage migrants are
working in particular sectors especially health
care, social care, construction, and agriculture.
Attitudes to integration
Attitudes to integration

•
•
•
•
There is agreement amongst both the general public and migrants that non-EU
migrants can contribute positively to the national culture, both socially in terms of
values by stimulating an appreciation for family and more openness among people,
and culturally in terms of cuisine and art.
The general public feel that for society to function successfully, migrants need to be
integrated. The main obstacles to integration are felt to be: language and a perceived
lack of willingness on the part of migrants to want to integrate (e.g. ghettos)
Migrants also feel that integration is important, and part of creating a new life in the
new country they have moved to. The main barriers to integration from migrants’
perspective are language, cultural and religious differences and the negative attitude
of the general public towards them. Migrants also noted that segregation and the
unwilling attitude to integrate among some migrants also has a detrimental effect.
General consensus that fluency in the local language is the most important factor in
facilitating integration. For the general public, employment is second most important
factor while for migrants legal status is more important.
For migrants legal status provides equality, freedom from exploitation and access to
the same rights as local people. It also provides security and peace of mind allowing
migrants to plan for the future.
Responsibility for integration
Views about responsibilities for integration
•
•
•
•
•
Overall, the general public are negative about the impact of government on migrant
integration. Criticism centres on too many migrants being allowed into the country,
concerns about abuse of social benefits, and poor support to help migrants integrate.
Migrants were also negative about governments and mainly criticised the bureaucracy
and inequality associated with government procedures and processes that they have
to deal with.
Both general public and migrants identified the importance of taking personal
responsibility for facilitating integration.
The general public identified many actions that they could do themselves to improve
integration within their neighbourhood / community concerned with demonstrating
understanding and offering practical assistance. Many participants identified a
change in the attitude of the general public as the cornerstone to improving
integration.
Migrants also identified changing their own attitude as being something they could do,
to improve integration in their neighbourhood / community, such as increased
communication, getting involved more, and learning more about the country.
However, there was a perception among many migrants that the responsibility for
improving integration lies with the general public rather than themselves.
General public: Helping migrants understand
•
•
Many members of the general public
considered they could have a role in
helping and encouraging migrants on
the key issue of language
Other suggestions included showing
migrants round the local area / giving
directions / information / advice /
guidelines, specifically about:
– Talking about their way of life,
religion
– Sharing cultures through joint social
activities
•
Explaining / teaching migrants about
local culture / customs
•
Helping with administration
“I believe that these people are waiting for it,
because they come to us, they must feel insecure,
so it would be good if we came out with the
initiative.” (Poland, General Public, female, 18-35)
“Go and knock on their door instead of calling
the police, explain a bit about the way we live
and do what you can to make everything go
well” (France, General public, male, 40-70)
•“Help with dealing with public authorities. That
is the most difficult.” (Slovakia, General public,
more respondents, 18-35, 45-70)
Non-EU migrants: Integrating as a community
•
Migrants felt that they could improve
integration by :
– trying harder to communicate with
local people
– getting more involved in the
neighbourhood
– learning more about the local
culture and sharing their own
– helping new migrants through their
own knowledge and experience
“If you want to meet people, you need to go out
and be where they are and talk to them. If you’re
not outgoing, then how do you expect anyone to
notice you? You have to show some initiative
yourself.” (Denmark, 1st generation, male, 21,
American, low level education)
“I’m quite a proficient Internet user and a
lot of things can be done online, but recent
immigrants are not aware of that, that’s
why I often help them, give them
information” (Italy, Non-EU migrant 1st
generation, 29, Moroccan)
Citizenship
Citizenship
•
Both the general public and
migrants agree that the most
important factors to consider for
citizenship are:
– Having lived legally for at least
five years in the country
– Being able to speak the national
language/s
– Committing formally to respect
the national cultural values and
laws
•
Migrants also feel that having family
in the country should play a role,
whereas the general public are less
agreed on this criterion.
•
However, obtaining citizenship is not
perceived as critical for integration
by either the general public or
migrants.
“There is no difference whether the person is a
citizen or is not. If he officially works and pays taxes,
so where is that difference? He has to think himself
whether he wants to have that citizenship.” (Latvia,
general public, female, 45-70)
“No, I do not want the Greek citizenship. I know
that the law says if you become Greek then, you
can go to your home-country as a tourist and that
for only 3 months, 90 days. How do I know what
will happen tomorrow; if you must go to your
home-country though; I will change back my
citizenship; I cannot have a dual citizenship. If my
mom gets very sick and tell me tomorrow that she
needs my help, I could go to my home for just 90
days?” (Greece, Non-EU migrant IDI, high
education, Ukrainian, female)
Improving integration
Improving integration
•
There was discussion around improving integration in
four areas: in private companies, in the public sector, at
school and more generally by improving public
understanding.
Private companies
• Strong views from both groups that employment should
be based on merit. There is widespread resistance to
idea of “positive discrimination”. However some
acceptance of need for quotas and some financial (tax)
incentives.
Public sector
• Both the general public and migrants feel that in order to
improve integration in the public sector the government
should ensure equality in terms of access and
recruitment. However some members of the general
public are resistant to allowing equal access to jobs in
the public sector as they are of the view that to occupy
these positions, individuals need extensive knowledge of
the local language and culture, which they doubted
migrants either had or could realistically achieve.
“A company should simply
employ the person best fit for
the job” (Austria, Non-EU
migrant group, second
generation, Turk)
“If the person passes the
exams [in Luxembourgish,
French, English and
German], I have no
problem with the fact that
the State hires nonLuxembourgers.”
(General public, female,
18-35)
Improving integration
Education
• A range of possible strategies to increase
integration in schools was proposed by both
groups. Both felt that activities which promote
multicultural exchange are important. Migrants
placed a stronger emphasis on language skills at
school (both local language and their own mother
tongue) as the key for improved integration.
Improving public understanding
• Both general public and migrants considered the
media (and particularly TV) had the most potential
to change public views. Both groups were of the
views that it was the responsibility of the media to
redress the negative portrayal of migrants and
present a more balanced view.
“One could offer courses at the
school in which both German
and Turkish parents would do
something together with their
children. When the children
see that the parents show
mutual respect for, and
understand, one other the
children will automatically do
the same.” (Germany, Non-EU
migrant IDI, 29, low level
education, Turkish)
“Government should provide
programmes on TV, showing to the
Portuguese that Portugal need the
migrants to work.” (Portugal, NonEU migrant group, Cape Verdean)