Integration: What Works?

The most comprehensive attempt to assess European policymaking in the field of integration is the Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX), which ranks European policies according to best practice and European standardsacross several categories, including labour market mobility, family reunion, education, political participation, long-term residence, access to nationality, and anti-discrimination.78 The MIPEX tool helps compare countries’ policies and show how they stand in relation to other countries. Figure 9 has been generated using MIPEX data from 2010 for Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and the UK. MIPEX measures the best practices in terms of designing integration policies. Interestingly, the design of integration policies does not always match up with the outcomes that have resulted from these policies. For example, though Sweden consistently sits at the top of MIPEX rankings and is lauded for its generous and well-designed policies, positive integration outcomes have not necessarily ensued. Sweden has seen some of the lowest employment rates for migrant communities in Europe, with 81 per cent employment for those born in Sweden compared to 65 per cent for those who were foreign-born.79 This is despite the fact that Swedish integration policy prioritises integration within the labour market and heavily targets resources in this area. So while MIPEX provides a valuable starting point, there is still a long way to go before a clear picture can be painted of how policies have impacted on outcomes.
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