Overview
- The Rockwool Foundation Berlin analysis, published Thursday, reports that employment among migrants in the EU reached 68.2% in 2025, up from 67.8% the year before.
- Non‑EU migrants made the largest gains, rising from 59.4% in 2017 to 66% in 2025, while migrants from other EU states increased from 71.1% to 74.8% over the same period.
- Outcomes vary sharply between countries, with non‑EU migrant employment especially high in Malta (83.7%), Czechia (77.3%) and Ireland (76.1%), and much lower in Belgium (58.5%) and Finland (58.6%).
- The study finds many highly qualified non‑EU migrants work below their skill level and that the remaining employment shortfall is concentrated among women from non‑EU origins.
- Researchers say policy fixes — faster recognition of foreign diplomas, fewer unnecessary licensing barriers and expanded language and integration services — are key, and they warn that cuts to integration courses in Germany could slow further progress.