We recently worked with the Migration Policy Group in Europe to produce the Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX), to improve migrant integration policies in EU countries.

The largest ever poll of its kind
We recently collaborated with the Migration Policy Group on the Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX), measuring the impact of intergration policies across 25 EU Member States and three non-EU countries: Austria, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the UK.

What shapes a migrant’s journey to citizenship?
The project, led by our office in Brussels, aims to improve migrant integration policies in Europe by providing objective and comparable data for debate. It measures the impact of existing policies on an estimated 21 million migrants. The Index uses over 130 indicators to build a multi-dimensional picture of their opportunities to participate in society. It covers six main policy areas that shape a migrant’s journey to full citizenship: long-term residence, labour market status, family reunion, political participation, eligibility for nationality and anti-discrimination.

Enriching the UK's culture
There are 3.4 million people living in the UK today that were born outside the EU and with a long history of immigration, 66 per cent of the UK’s citizens see migrants enriching the UK’s culture (the eighth highest figure in the EU).

How the UK ranked
In the Index the UK came fifth in the country rankings for access to long-term residence and becoming a national, but 12th in allowing family reunion and access to work. The UK came 15th in terms of the right to vote and participate in politics. Though protection from discrimination and racism are a historical area of strength for the UK, the study found that it could do more to reunite families and help migrants find work.

A complex issue for Europe
Martin Davidson, Chief Executive of the British Council said; ‘Migration is one of the key issues facing Europe along with complex questions of identity, religious expression in largely secular societies and fears arising from terrorism and war. It is our hope that this transparent and accessible account of Europe’s integration policies will trigger wider discussion, greater understanding and effective action.'

Providing accurate and reliable data
The project was driven by the need for accurate information on migration. Public and policy debates about migrant integration in Europe showed a lack of clear, reliable data. Governments are looking for ways to improve integration: the Index provides a tool to measure their own policies, and compare them to others across Europe.