INTEGRATION
Key findings
Do policies facilitate the smooth integration
of migrants into society?
of migrants into society?
Integration scores are weighted composites. A qualitative policy assessment [ 
] contributes one-half of this weighting, with four quantitative measures [ 
] each contributing an additional one-eighth.
Scores and methodology
] contributes one-half of this weighting, with four quantitative measures [ ] each contributing an additional one-eighth. Scores and methodology
IntegrationKey findings: Integration policy
Each 
represents an individual country and is positioned on a scale from 1 (lowest) to 10 (best). Position cursor over to see scores for individual countries.
Click country name in list or text for details.
represents an individual country and is positioned on a scale from 1 (lowest) to 10 (best). Position cursor over to see scores for individual countries.Click country name in list or text for details.
Score distribution
8.9
1
8.7
2
8.2
3
8.0
4
7.9
5
7.7
6
7.6
7
7.1
8
In this top group, immigration has often played a formative role in the countries' history (New Zealand, Canada, U.S., Australia), and remains an important part of the economy. In all, immigration policy is relatively liberal.
Several countries (U.S., Canada, Norway, New Zealand) have liberal naturalization laws, although immigration has been politically controversial in the United States. Australia has tightened citizenship laws, and the issue remains under discussion in Luxembourg.
United Kingdom is a multi-ethnic society, dedicating substantial resources to immigration policy, but integration success is mixed.
Several states (New Zealand, Australia, Canada, U.S.) actively seek skilled workers. Portugal has excellent integration policies, but has not been a prime destination for migrants.
Several countries (U.S., Canada, Norway, New Zealand) have liberal naturalization laws, although immigration has been politically controversial in the United States. Australia has tightened citizenship laws, and the issue remains under discussion in Luxembourg.
United Kingdom is a multi-ethnic society, dedicating substantial resources to immigration policy, but integration success is mixed.
Several states (New Zealand, Australia, Canada, U.S.) actively seek skilled workers. Portugal has excellent integration policies, but has not been a prime destination for migrants.
6.6
9
6.5
10
6.3
11
6.1
12
6.1
5.9
14
5.2
15
5.0
16
4.7
17
4.7
4.7
4.5
20
Many in this middle group of countries have found themselves struggling in recent years to assimilate larger immigrant flows (Ireland, Finland, Spain, Sweden). Others have long-established communities, but persistent integration difficulties.
The Scandinavian nations (Sweden, Denmark, Finland) have found difficulties integrating migrants into the labor force, with some discrimination reported. Non-citizens' educational achievements are low in Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands.
Germany has a long history of immigration, but attention to integration policy is relatively recent. Denmark, Austria, and Mexico have restrictive immigration policies, while Switzerland's is skewed heavily toward high-skilled EU citizens.
Islamic communities have presented integration difficulties in several states (Netherlands, Belgium, Germany). Spain's government recently implemented a radical naturalization program, while Iceland's recent reforms have been vague.
The Scandinavian nations (Sweden, Denmark, Finland) have found difficulties integrating migrants into the labor force, with some discrimination reported. Non-citizens' educational achievements are low in Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands.
Germany has a long history of immigration, but attention to integration policy is relatively recent. Denmark, Austria, and Mexico have restrictive immigration policies, while Switzerland's is skewed heavily toward high-skilled EU citizens.
Islamic communities have presented integration difficulties in several states (Netherlands, Belgium, Germany). Spain's government recently implemented a radical naturalization program, while Iceland's recent reforms have been vague.
4.2
21
4.2
4.2
4.2
4.2
4.1
26
3.6
27
3.1
28
2.4
29
2.2
30
In this group, recent increases in immigration rates (Greece , Hungary, Japan, South Korea, Czech Republic) have often proved difficult to manage, and many states have undeveloped integration policies.
France, though home to long-established immigrant communities, has seen rising unrest. Migrants in South Korea and Japan are often economically marginalized.
Racism and discrimination is evident in several states (Greece, Czech Republic, France). Integration policy has been minimal or virtually nonexistent in a large number of these states (Italy, Slovakia, Hungary, Japan, South Korea, Turkey, Poland).
France, though home to long-established immigrant communities, has seen rising unrest. Migrants in South Korea and Japan are often economically marginalized.
Racism and discrimination is evident in several states (Greece, Czech Republic, France). Integration policy has been minimal or virtually nonexistent in a large number of these states (Italy, Slovakia, Hungary, Japan, South Korea, Turkey, Poland).
Rationale
Globalization has led to growing communities of immigrants even in traditionally homogeneous societies.
Integration-related policies comprise a wide array of cultural, educational and social policies which directly or indirectly affect the status of immigrant communities.
The objective of integration is not forced assimilation, but does favor the acquisition of nationality.
Performance comparison
Use drop-down menus for selections. In all cases, higher scores reflect better performance.
