Migration patterns and immigrant characteristics in north-western Europe Helga A.G. de Valk Geneva September 2011

Outline and aims 1. Patterns of immigration 2. Characteristics of migrants from Africa and Latin America 3. Children of immigrants and ageing migrant populations

Study countries Belgium Germany The Netherlands United Kingdom Diverse migration histories Large share of total group of immigrants reside in these four countries

Data Most recent available data from national statistical offices, EUROSTAT, OECD Comparability sometimes limited Definitions also prone to immigration laws and naturalization Migration data lack completeness and coverage More harmonized and better data are needed

1. Patterns of immigration NetherlandsGermany United KingdomBelgium

Age and sex structure all immigrants to the Netherlands 2009 Age and sex structure African immigrants to the Netherlands 2009 Age and sex structure Latin American immigrants to the Netherlands 2009

Aqcuiring residence Mainly related to family For majority of African and Latin American groups Exceptions e.g. Somalians in the Netherlands (mainly refugees), Brazilian migrants to Germany (mainly study related), Congolese in Belgium (related to asulym and study) Gender differences Only migrants who applied for residence are covered, no irregular migration

2. Characteristics of residing migrants Share of population foreign born or with a foreign nationality, per country of settlement

Population (15 years and over) by region of birth and gender, per country of residence, 2001

Age and sex structure African /Latin American migrants in the Netherlands Age and sex structure African /Latin American migrants in the UK

Share of African Latin American immigrants in the total population, the Netherlands 2011

Share of north-African and sub-Saharan immigrants in the total population, Belgium 2001

3. Children of immigrants and ageing migrant populations 20/25 percent of the school aged population already is of immigrant origin substantial share of second generation (children of immigrants) and expected to increase in the future

Migrants in the Netherlands, by migrant generation, 2010 Source: Statistics Netherlands

Children living in two parent families, by country of residence and region of origin (%)

Intermarriages with a native Dutch spouse for parents of children of immigrants of different origin and generation (%),

Labor market position of fathers of second generation children of immigrants from selected African countries of origin, the Netherlands 2006 (%)

Ageing immigrant populations Ageing mainly issue for those who migrated before early 1970s Origins depend on migration history: labour migrants and colonial links Majority is still between Limited knowledge about their position, majority of studies related to health Ageing and return as emerging issues

Level of agreement with statement child should take care of sick parents Source: De Valk & Schans 2008 based on NKPS data Level of agreement with statement child should take parents in home when old

Level of loneliness by origin group 11-item scale (de Jong Gierveld), the Netherlands Source: De Valk & Van Droogenbroeck 2010 based on NKPS data

Conclusions and outlook Diversity in background origin, position after migration both between as well as within regions of origin Settlement determined by job opportunities but family/social networks and language important Socio economic position determined by characteristics of migrants (before and after migration) and country of settlement Family most important reason for migration, less prone to economic crisis?

Conclusions and outlook Economic crisis affects young in particular and many in this group are of the second generation Second generation more important for labour market in ageing societies Ageing migrants and their needs/expectations; second generation sandwich generation in particular for women ? Undocumented migration, economic crisis, development in origin countries...

Share of foreigners in the total population, Germany 2009