Communiqué, issue 1, 2004
Articles
- Similar perceptions of quality of life across Europe
- Higher collective bargaining levels in EU than Japan and USA
- Migration levels likely to be small, survey reveals
- Sharpening Europe's competitive edge
- Spotlight on working conditions in two sectors
- A road map for conflict resolution
- Working conditions: an international comparison
- Europe's small economies worst hit by industrial restructuring cases
- Part-time workers still experience adverse working conditions
Previous issues of Communiqué
Only about 1% of the population of the acceding countries is expected to migrate to current EU Member States over the next five years. This figure amounts to around 220,000 people per year under the conditions of freedom of movement. Nevertheless, a real risk of a 'brain drain' from the new Member States remains, argues the Foundation in a new study on Migration trends in an enlarged Europe.
The study recommends that the appropriate regional and structural policy measures to stimulate growth and encourage young and highly qualified employees to remain in their countries need to be put in place. This is necessary if enhanced labour mobility in an enlarged European Union is to be beneficial for both sides.
Risk of 'youth and brain drain'
The study, based on survey findings, reveals a serious risk of a 'youth and brain drain' from the acceding countries, with about 2-3% of the 15-24 age group indicating a 'firm intention' to move. One third of potential migrants declaring a firm intention to migrate are students and a quarter are well-qualified with a third-level standard of education.
'The dilemma of migration as a policy challenge to the EU, is that while labour mobility may be good for economic growth and cohesion across the EU as a whole, it may put pressure on social cohesion at local level, if not accompanied by a coherent approach to integration', comments Hubert Krieger, research manager in the Living Conditions team.
Unemployment has an influence on migration, but to a much lesser extent than was previously thought and only in a limited number of countries. Overall, only 2% of unemployed people indicated a firm intention to move.