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OECD survey shows immigration soaring but unemployment hurting migrants
| Published: | 17 Jun at 6 PM |
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The annual migration survey by the UK Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) shows that migration has picked up after three years in decline, but notes immigrant unemployment figures are already at 50 per cent.
The OECD’s 2013 International Migration Outlook covers 34 countries and their social and economic conditions. The survey revealed that migration to OECD nations increased by 2 per cent to around four million in 2011, with indicators suggesting a similar rise in 2012.
The report also showed that high unemployment in the countries surveyed left 50 per cent of incomers without jobs up to a year after their arrival. OECD Secretary General Angela Gurria stated governments must step up and tackle the lack of job opportunities for both nationals and migrants.
She added that assistance in integration for immigrants ensures that they are committed to driving growth in their new countries as the world economy continues its recovery. The survey also revealed that the highest immigrant numbers were for people moving across member states within the European Union.
Interestingly, giving the increase in public negativity as regards the UK’s ‘open door’ policy, the OECD report revealed that immigrants put more into the economy than they took out. The fiscal impact of immigration is the opposite of expectations by various anti-immigrant groups, particularly in the UK.
Nations which could benefit most from the fiscal impact which would result from full immigrant employment included France, Belgium and Sweden, all of which already have large, well-established immigrant communities. Lack of work, the survey states, is the main problem preventing strong fiscal contributions from waves of migrants.
The report also assessed levels of discrimination across the OECD countries. Its findings indicate much higher levels than were expected given previous totals. For example, immigrants need to send twice as many job applications than nationals before they are given an interview.
The OECD’s 2013 International Migration Outlook covers 34 countries and their social and economic conditions. The survey revealed that migration to OECD nations increased by 2 per cent to around four million in 2011, with indicators suggesting a similar rise in 2012.
The report also showed that high unemployment in the countries surveyed left 50 per cent of incomers without jobs up to a year after their arrival. OECD Secretary General Angela Gurria stated governments must step up and tackle the lack of job opportunities for both nationals and migrants.
She added that assistance in integration for immigrants ensures that they are committed to driving growth in their new countries as the world economy continues its recovery. The survey also revealed that the highest immigrant numbers were for people moving across member states within the European Union.
Interestingly, giving the increase in public negativity as regards the UK’s ‘open door’ policy, the OECD report revealed that immigrants put more into the economy than they took out. The fiscal impact of immigration is the opposite of expectations by various anti-immigrant groups, particularly in the UK.
Nations which could benefit most from the fiscal impact which would result from full immigrant employment included France, Belgium and Sweden, all of which already have large, well-established immigrant communities. Lack of work, the survey states, is the main problem preventing strong fiscal contributions from waves of migrants.
The report also assessed levels of discrimination across the OECD countries. Its findings indicate much higher levels than were expected given previous totals. For example, immigrants need to send twice as many job applications than nationals before they are given an interview.
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