Werkloosheid in EU hoger onder migranten (en)

Over the years, migration has had an impact on the composition of European societies. In 2010, foreign-born persons accounted for 9.4% of the EU27 population. Their socio-economic situation was in general less favourable than for native-born persons.

In 2008 in the EU27, the unemployment rate of foreign-born persons aged 25-54 was higher than for native-born persons in this age group (10% compared with 6%). When employed, foreign-born persons often have more difficulties to find a job corresponding to their education level. This can be measured using an overqualification rate2, which refers to the percentage of persons with a high level of education who have a job which does not correspond to this level. In the EU27 in 2008, foreign-born persons aged 25-54 registered a significantly higher overqualification rate than native-born persons (34% compared with 19%).

These figures come from a publication3 issued by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. This publication looks at a broad range of characteristics of migrants aged from 25 to 54 living in the European Union and EFTA countries. It looks separately at foreign-born persons, foreign citizens and second generation migrants. It covers the socio-economic situation of migrants including labour market status, income distribution and poverty. Reasons for migration and length of residence are also examined.

Higher rates of unemployment and overqualification for foreign-born persons

In 2008, the unemployment rate of foreign-born persons aged 25-54 was higher than for native-born persons in this age group in all Member States for which data are available, except Greece and Hungary. Particularly high gaps were registered in Belgium (14% for foreign-born compared with 5% for native-born), Sweden (11% and 3%), Finland (11% and 5%), Spain (15% and 9%), France (12% and 6%) and Germany (12% and 6%).

As regards employment, foreign-born persons aged 25-54 registered a significantly higher overqualification rate than native-born persons in 2008 in all Member States for which data are available. The difference was particularly marked in Greece (62% for foreign-born compared with 18% for native-born), Italy (50% and 13%), Spain (58% and 31%), Cyprus (53% and 27%), Estonia (47% and 22%) and Sweden (31% and 11%).

One in three foreign-born person aged 25 to 54 at risk of poverty or social exclusion

In 2008 in the EU27, 31% of the foreign-born aged 25-54 were assessed to be at risk of poverty or social exclusion, following the criteria set by the Europe 2020 strategy4. The native-born registered a lower rate of 20%. This pattern was observed in all Member States for which data are available, except Hungary and Lithuania. Particularly high gaps were recorded in Belgium (36% for foreign-born compared with 13% for native born), Sweden (32% and 10%), Greece (45% and 23%), France (34% and 14%), Austria (32% and 13%), Finland (31% and 13%) and Denmark (31% and 13%).

Foreign-born persons are also in a less favourable situation with regard to housing conditions. In 2008 in the EU27, foreign-born persons aged 25-54 were more likely to live in overcrowded dwellings5 than native-born persons (23% compared with 19%). The differences were particularly high in Austria (40% for foreign-born compared with 9% for native born), Greece (49% and 26%), Slovenia (61% and 41%), France (26% and 8%) and Denmark (21% and 6%).

Labour market situation of native-born and foreign-born persons aged 25-54 in 2008

(%)

Source: Labour Force Survey 2008

• : 

  Data not available or not published due to small sample size

Living conditions of native-born and foreign-born persons aged 25-54 in 2008

(%)

Source: EU-Statistics on Income and Living Conditions 2008

• * 

  Eurostat estimate for foreign-born

• : 

  Data not available or not published due to small sample size
• - 

  Foreign-born is a person whose place of birth (or usual residence of the mother at the time of the birth) is outside the country of his/her usual residence.

Native-born is a person whose place of birth (or usual residence of the mother at the time of the birth) is the country of his/her usual residence.

• - 

  Overqualification rate is defined as the percentage of those persons in employment with a high educational level (having completed tertiary education, ISCED 5 or 6) who are in low or medium skilled jobs (ISCO occupation levels 4 to 9).
• - 

  Eurostat, "Migrants in Europe - A statistical portrait of the first and second generation", available free of charge in pdf format on the Eurostat web site. The paper format of the publication will become available shortly.
• - 

  Persons at risk of poverty or social exclusion are those affected by at least one of the three following conditions:
• - 

  Persons at risk of poverty are those living in a household with an equivalised disposable income below the risk-of-poverty threshold, which is set at 60% of the national median equivalised disposable income (after social transfers). The equivalised income is calculated by dividing the total household income by its size determined after applying the following weights: 1.0 to the first adult, 0.5 to each other household members aged 14 or over and 0.3 to each household member aged less than 14 years old.
• - 

  Severely materially deprived persons have living conditions constrained by a lack of resources and experience at least 4 out of the 9 following deprivation items: cannot afford 1) to pay rent/mortgage or utility bills, 2) to keep home adequately warm, 3) to face unexpected expenses, 4) to eat meat, fish or a protein equivalent every second day, 5) a one week holiday away from home, 6) a car, 7) a washing machine, 8) a colour TV, or 9) a telephone.
• - 

  People living in households with very low work intensity are those aged 0-59 who live in households where on average the adults (aged 18-59) worked less than 20% of their total work potential during the past year. Students are excluded.

For more information on the Europe 2020 strategy: http://ec.europa.eu/europe2020/index_en.htm.

• - 

  A person is considered as living in an overcrowded dwelling if the household, taking into account its composition and size, does not have at its disposal a sufficient minimum number of rooms. This minimum number of rooms is equal to:
• - 

  one room for the household;
• - 

  one room per couple in the household;
• - 

  one room for each single person aged 18 or more;
• - 

  one room per pair of single people of the same gender between 12 and 17 years of age;
• - 

  one room for each single person between 12 and 17 years of age and not included in the previous category;
• - 

  one room per pair of children under 12 years of age.

Eurostat press releases on the internet: http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat