Evaluation of Indicators for the Social and Civic Integration of Migrants

Why Social Integration Matters

Social integration is crucial for successful integration. It includes trust, social connections, safety, belonging, and participation in community and political life. These non-economic factors are vital for being able to achieve good integration outcomes, and to safeguard the cohesion of the Nordic region.

I hope that the project will highlight that employment is just one step to enhance the feeling of belonging in society, and that integration is also a bidirectional process, says Debora Pricila Birgier, Senior Research Fellow at Nordregio.

Social integration is a two-way process. Immigrants need to adapt to their new society, and the host community must show acceptance and treat everyone equally. This mutual effort helps build a more inclusive and cohesive society, benefiting everyone.

Strategies based on facts, not assumptions

Measuring the outcomes of integration is crucial for making informed policy decisions. By using robust indicators to collect empirical evidence, we ensure that integration strategies are grounded in facts, not assumptions. These indicators help track progress over time and enable cross-national comparisons, providing valuable insights into the dynamics of migrant integration.

With accurate data, policymakers can develop strategies that truly address the needs of both migrants and host communities, fostering better integration and stronger, more cohesive societies.

Aim of the study: lessons from the Nordic countries in using indicators to monitor social integration

Despite its importance, social integration is difficult to measure. The purpose of this study is to give an overview of how the Nordic countries are working with indicators to monitor migrants’ social integration.

The project reviews the indicators used by the Nordic Statistical Institutes (NSIs) and other governmental agencies in the Nordic countries to measure social and civic integration. How well are they working and what can be learned from the other Nordic countries? What are their strengths and weaknesses?

We will look at the available indicators used by the Nordic NSIs and other international bodies such as the OECD and Eurostat. The project’s outcome will also include a set of recommendations regarding possible more uniform indicators across the Nordics, says Debora Pricila Birgier.

Based on an evaluation of the indicators, the study will conclude with some key recommendations for the development of better and more efficient indicators for monitoring migrants’ social and civic integration in the Nordic countries.

A final report will be published and launched in March 2025.

Read more about the project at Nordregio’s website.