Brussels, 08/12/2011 (Agence Europe) - Compared with one person in five among the native-born, over-qualified migrants are experiencing higher levels of unemployment and poverty. These figures come from a publication issued by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, on 8 December. This publication looks at a broad range of characteristics of migrants aged 25-54 living in the European Union and EFTA countries, which accounts for 9.4% of the EU's population. In a press release, Eurostat indicates that one in three foreign-born persons aged 25-54 is overqualified for their job, compared with one person in five among the native-born. Their socio-economic situation is 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”. In the EU27 in 2008, foreign-born persons aged 25-54 registered a significantly higher over-qualification rate than native-born persons (34% compared with 19%).
As regards unemployment rates, Eurostat explains that “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 over-qualification 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%). Eurostat explains that one in three foreign-born person aged 25-54 is at risk of poverty or social exclusion. En 2008, in the EU27, 31% of the foreign-born aged 25-54 were assessed to be at risk of poverty or social exclusion. The native-born registered a lower rate of 20%. 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 dwellings 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%), explained Eurostat. (OL/transl.fl)