Posts about immigration, integration, and immigration policy.
The core of this category is my series Essays on immigration. It goes through the forms of immigration one at a time: family-based immigration, labour-based immigration, those who came to study, those granted asylum and asylum seekers. My starting point is that a useful debate needs precise terms and facts. The series also measures Finland against Sweden and Denmark, where immigration is much higher, and ends by testing the most persistent myths about immigration against the statistics.
Immigration is a necessity for the world's fastest-ageing country, whose birth rate cannot supply enough workers for the welfare state. Integration is decided in everyday life, and there we Finns hold the key: racism, discrimination in recruitment and inadequate services all make it harder. I also acknowledge honestly that diversity and the Nordic trust society can be in tension. The answer to that tension is successful integration, not exclusion. Other posts here deal with language, anti-racism and cooperation.
Related posts
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Essays on immigration: myths about immigration
Myths about immigration distort public debate. Ten common misconceptions are examined against what the facts actually show about immigration to Finland.
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Together we are stronger
Growing polarisation and inequality-creating policies unnecessarily divide our small nation. History shows we fare best when we cooperate.
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Essays on immigration: on asylum seekers
There are many misconceptions about asylum seekers. It is important to distinguish facts from myths — seekers do not live at taxpayers' expense.
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Essays on immigration: those granted asylum
Receiving asylum is not automatic — it is a carefully defined process. Too often we forget the actual people behind the applications.
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Essays on immigration: those who came to study
Students who come to Finland from abroad bring skilled workers. Yet we still have major challenges with their employment after graduation.
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Essays on immigration: labour-based immigration
Labour-based immigration helps solve Finland's labour shortage. However, better conditions for integration and employment are still needed.
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Essays on immigration: family-based immigration
Those who immigrate on the basis of family ties are a diverse group. They are often further along in integration than other immigrant groups.
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Essays on immigration: the scale of immigration
In immigration discussions, volumes are often left unmentioned. Finland's immigration is a fraction of comparable countries' levels.
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Essays on immigration: on the immigration debate
The immigration debate has long been dominated by critical voices. It is time to examine the topic more evenhandedly, based on facts.
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With words we shape reality
The racism statement is an important step. Word choices matter — with words we shape reality and our relationship to difference.
