New report: Researcher Anna Berlina on policy frameworks and emerging trends in the Nordics

The report Policy frameworks for migrant integration in the Nordic countries 2025 provides an overview of how responsibilities are organized, how tasks are divided between national and local levels, and how policies are put into practice, from integration programmes and language training to settlement policies and employer support. It also reviews recent policy changes and the overall direction of integration policy in the region.

The report can be used to compare experiences across countries, compare how integration is organised in the Nordic region, support mutual learning, help identify gaps, and strengthen the implementation of new measures, Anna Berlina notes.

A rapidly changing policy field

One of the most striking observations highlighted by Anna Berlina is how quickly integration policy is evolving. Over a short period of time, significant changes have taken place across the Nordic region, making it necessary to continuously update knowledge and policy analysis.

The pace of change underscores the importance of having up-to-date and comparable information when developing and implementing integration policies.

Shared trends across the Nordic countries

The report identifies clear common trends across the Nordic region. Countries are increasingly learning from one another and drawing inspiration from shared experiences, Berlina adds. A stronger focus on work-oriented integration measures is visible in all countries, with greater emphasis on employment, clearer expectations for newcomers, and more obligation-based approaches, she continues.

While Denmark has long applied stricter integration policies, other Nordic countries are now moving in a similar direction. Despite national differences, the overall policy trajectory is becoming more aligned, Berlina concludes.

By presenting these developments in a clear and concise way, the report aims to strengthen Nordic cooperation on integration. It serves as a shared knowledge base that supports collaboration, informed decision-making, and continued learning across the Nordic countries.

See the full interview with researcher Anna Berlina here: