More than seven million migrants remain outside the European Union’s labour market, despite the liberal political class’ insistence that the millions of migrant arrivals in recent decades would benefit Europe.
According to the European Commission’s latest Employment and Social Developments in Europe (ESDE) report, the unemployment rate among migrants is double that of the EU average: 11.8% compared to 5.9%.
Migrants are also the most exposed to poverty, with 38% living at risk.
While the Commission argues that better tax incentives, simpler work permits, and stronger language training can help, the data also point to deeper social obstacles.
One of the most striking findings is the gender divide. Over half of migrant women who are out of the labour market have never worked, compared with about 40% of migrant men.
Cultural traditions presumably play a decisive role: in many Muslim societies, women are not encouraged to take up paid employment, a pattern that continues after migration to Europe.
This helps explain why the participation rate of migrant women lags so significantly behind both men and domestic-born women.
Language remains another major stumbling block. In 2021, only a quarter of non-EU migrants reported being fluent in their host country’s language upon arrival. Unsurprisingly, migrants themselves identified “lack of language skills” as the single most common obstacle to finding a job.
Recognition of qualifications is another persistent problem, often “lengthy, complex and costly,” leaving many with higher education underemployed or excluded altogether.
The integration challenges begin at a very young age. A recent report in Germany by the Catholic charity Malteser warned of an education crisis among migrant children.
It found that three-quarters of adults without any school qualification and nearly half without vocational training were of migrant origin. Many children do not speak German at home, and in 2024 some 14% of those in publicly funded childcare facilities spoke no German at all.
Despite these setbacks, Brussels continues to stress the benefits of migration.
Roxana Mînzatu, the Commission’s Executive Vice-President for Social Rights, said:
We need to do more to ensure everyone can contribute their skills and talents. By removing obstacles, challenging stereotypes, and advancing gender equality, we can tackle labour shortages, boost our competitiveness, and build a fairer, more inclusive society.
However, the fact remains that pro-migration policies have failed to deliver broad integration, resulting in millions of migrants unable to or unwilling to find work.
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