Integration overview 2023

This report, published in February 2024 by the Centre of Expertise in Immigrant Integration - part of the Labour Migration and Integration Unit at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment -, provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of integration in Finland. This is the third such review, being published every 4 years.

The publication comprises 2 parts: the first describes the current state of integration with comparison to the situation in 2019. The second contains research articles that examine immigrants’ employment, education, well-being and social inclusion. The cross-cutting theme of this year’s review is integration from the perspective of intergroup relations. 

Key research findings include the following:

• The main challenges in the employment of immigrants in Finland are the under-utilisation of qualifications and the limited language skills of new arrivals.
• Although most immigrants evaluate their own health as 'good', mental strain is found to be higher among immigrants than the rest of the population.
• Experiences of ethnic discrimination are fairly common: 1 in 5 immigrants has experienced discrimination in public places and just as many think that discrimination affects their labour market success.
• Precarious employment is more common among foreign language speakers, including among those who are highly educated.
• Challenges of segregation in cities could be solved locally by investment in residential areas and community support, and the school choices parents make for their children.
• Earned income is lower among immigrants than in the majority population groups, which leads to a higher risk in poverty among children with foreign backgrounds.
• Experiences of ethnic discrimination are linked to lower life quality and poorer self-identification as belonging to Finnish society;
• Immigrants face obstacles in accessing digital services, which often fail to address their needs and present language difficulties. Thus, digital services can inadvertently create barriers for immigrants. Researchers recommend a strategy that preserves in-person services in addition to digital offerings.

The review highlights the importance of two-way integration and the role of social interactions with the host community in the social inclusion of immigrants. It also serves as a reminder that consequences of discrimination are negative for society as a whole, and that language used in politics and media about immigration can influence wider public attitudes.