Brussels, 12/11/2007 (Agence Europe) - In the view of the Economic Policy Committee (EPC), which has examined the report by the Commission on the economic impact of migration, the phenomenon has a major role to play to increase the growth potential and facilitate adjustments within the EU. Immigration has contributed to a sharp growth in employment in many member states over the last decade, but the impact of migratory flows in terms of competitiveness or productivity remains difficult to measure, explains the report, which will feed into discussions of the finance ministers of the EU at the Ecofin Council, to be held this Tuesday 13 November.
In 2006, the increase of the European population (2.1 million people) is mainly due to an increase in migratory flows (1.6 million people), mainly from third countries (internal migratory flows in the EU remain modest). According to its projections, the Commission expects nearly 40 million people to arrive between 2004 and 2050, but this flow will only partly help to cover the deficit in labour linked to the ageing population. Migration alone cannot fulfil this challenge and must in any case be accompanied by appropriate policies, the EPC explains. An effective integration of the population onto the employment markets requires, amongst other things, measures in the field of education, access to the employment market and equal opportunities. Policies implemented should, in particular, facilitate immigration in the sectors which are experiencing, or which risk experiencing, a lack of labour, the EPC continues, laying emphasis on the importance for the member states of taking account of the negative effect which this migration may cause in the countries of origin (a downturn in growth due to the brain drain effect).
The impact of immigration on well-being expenditure and the sustainability of the public finances of the member states is a complex issue and varies enormously from country to country, the report continues. This depends on the type of immigration, the way in which the migrants are admitted into the country, opportunities on the employment market and the nature of the taxation and social services systems. It is worth stressing that immigration can contribute to the stability of the pension scheme in the short or medium term, and in the longer term, reform of these regimes remains essential. (A.B.)