With the rise of far-right rhetoric across Europe, migration has become a constant target of fear-driven propaganda and misinformation. Parties like Germany’s AfD campaign on the idea of ‘re-migration’ – a coded term for mass deportations – while other far-right parties frame migration as a threat rather than an inherent part of the development of our societies.
It is important to counter such misleading narratives with facts. While politicians push negative rhetoric, data tells a different story – one where the benefits of migration far outweigh the perceived threats. Migration is not just essential for our economies; it can improve our societal dynamics, enrich our cultures, and define our collective identity. Let’s shift the migration discourse from fear to fact, embracing the reality of its positive impact on our societies.
Read the post for a rundown of what is migration, select European countries’ recent anti-immigration policies and some often overlooked benefits of immigration.
Text by Carlotta Gioia Brambilla
Visuals by Joshue Garcia
Who are migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees?
The International Organization for Migration defines migration as ‘the movement of people away from their usual place of residence to a new place of residence, either across an international border or within a State.’
Migrants are seen as a heterogeneous group of individuals who travel to a new country for various reasons, such as economic, family reunion, or safety.
Asylum seekers are migrants who arrive in a country seeking protection from persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality or membership of a particular social group or political opinion. If they receive international protection, they are legally defined as refugees and get the right to reside in the host country.
The roots of migration
From early hunter-gatherers moving in search of resources to modern-day global mobility, migration has defined this planet for as long as humans have existed. It has driven cultural exchange, economic growth, and societal evolution, forming the interconnected world we know today. Without migration, languages, traditions, and innovations would have remained isolated, limiting progress. The cities we live in, the food we eat, and the music we listen to would effectively not be able to exist without migration.
The immigration rhetoric of right-wing European politics
Recently, many European governments have framed immigration as a threat to the well-being of the state and planned to implement restrictive policies against it.
- Netherlands: The far-right Freedom Party, the PVV, has been planning to implement stricter border checks and restrictions on family reunification. The migration and asylum minister, Marjolein Faber, stated that the party is aiming ‘for the strictest asylum policy ever’.
- Hungary: Viktor Orbán, Prime Minister of Hungary, consistently frames immigrants as a danger and threat to job opportunities, culture, and public safety. His rhetoric racially differentiates between migrants. In 2018, he stated ‘We don’t see these people as Muslim refugees. We see them as Muslim invaders’
- Italy: For years Italy has maintained agreements with Libya and Tunisia to restrain migrants trying to leave those countries in inhumane detention camps. In 2024, Italy started trying to send migrants to controversial detention centers in Albania, outside the EU territory.
- Denmark: Supports a ‘zero refugee’ policy. The government allows for refugees arriving in Denmark to be moved to asylum centers in partner countries, such as Rwanda. Moreover, in March 2021, Mette Frederiksen, Prime Minister of Denmark, declared some parts of Syria safe for return, revoking residency permits for Syrian refugees.
- Austria: Politicians of the Freedom Party argue that migrants are a financial burden on the state and that Muslim integration is concerning. Austria relies on restrictive naturalisation policies, banning dual citizenship in most cases. This limits voting rights and democratic quality.
- France: Immigration has been a polarising topic in the political debate. Evidence of racial profiling frames the longstanding issue of the quality of life of migrants in France. Young black or Arab males are twenty times more likely to be stopped by the police.
These are just a few examples of how European countries have been facing the rising wave of extreme right politics by tightening migration policies.
The benefits of immigration
Despite European states’ conservative stances on migration, their attempts to control migratory routes, and restrict integration and naturalisation policies, the real effects of migration in Europe are different.
In 2017, the European Commission determined that, while the short-term costs of refugee integration—such as language and professional training—may be substantial, they are likely to be significantly outweighed by the socio-economic and fiscal benefits in the medium to long term. Successfully integrating migrants into EU labor markets not only generates social advantages but also economic and budgetary gains over time.
Migrants’ essential role in the workforce
The International Monetary Fund predicted Germany to be one of the worst-performing major countries in 2023. To maintain its labor force despite a shortage of skilled workers, the country would need 1.5 million immigrants annually. For its economic growth, Germany is maintaining flexible foreign labour policies.
According to the European Commission, If European countries effectively implement training and support of migrants in the labour place, the economy could grow by an extra 0.2% to 1.4% per year compared to usual growth. The money spent on integration programs could pay for itself in 9 to 19 years, thanks to the economic benefits migrants bring over time.
Migration is an essential driver of economic growth
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe reported that migrants are not a burden on public finances, therefore debunking the frequently used right-wing myth .
On one hand, migrants often take on challenging jobs that many locals avoid, helping to address labor shortages. On the other hand, in Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) countries, migrants bring new skills in entrepreneurial activities and employment creation. Indeed, entrepreneurship is higher among immigrants than natives. In some countries, entire economic sectors —such as construction, seasonal farming, tourism, healthcare, and domestic services— would struggle to function without their contributions.
Additionally, migrants make a significant impact as business owners, employing 2.4% of the workforce in OECD countries.
Debunking the myth of migrant-driven crime rates
Contrary to prevalent misconceptions, extensive research indicates that higher proportions of migrants do not correlate with increased crime rates. A 2025 study by the Ifo Institute in Germany analyzed police data from 2018 to 2023 and found no statistical link between the rising number of foreigners in a district and local crime rates, including among refugees. The study suggests that migrants often settle in urban areas with pre-existing higher crime rates, but their presence does not contribute to an increase in crime.
Similarly, an EU-funded report reviewing 17 research projects concluded that there is no evidence linking immigration to increased crime or unemployment in countries with long or short histories of immigration.
These findings underscore the importance of basing public policy on empirical evidence rather than misconceptions and propaganda.
The benefits of religious diversity
European countries often do not take into account Islamic religious characteristics when designing migration and integration policies. Germany, France and Greece do not recognise Muslim-specific interests in their policies. For example, since 2004, French law has prohibited the wearing of religious symbols in primary and secondary public schools. In 2024, the French Senate further extended these restrictions by passing a law banning headscarves in sports competitions, disproportionately impacting Muslim girls and further hindering their integration.
Through restrictive policies, these countries are missing out on the benefits of religious diversity. Research by Gelb and Elkins Longacre shows that supporting religious diversity can improve universal communication in corporate activities, customer satisfaction, well-being in the workplace, and overall societal integration. It can improve interpersonal interactions in society highlighting our inherent diversity.
Migration’s influence on European nightlife
Migration has reshaped European nightlife, introducing diverse musical styles and fostering more inclusive club spaces. Sounds like Bhangra beats, Zouk, Beur Rap, and Turkish Pop have transformed dance floors, while Balkan and Afro-Caribbean influences are central to underground scenes. Even David Bowie, during his time in Berlin, integrated Turkish traditional sounds into his music, as heard in ‘Neuköln’ and ‘Yassassin’.
Queer nightlife, particularly in cities like Berlin, where it plays a central role in the economy, has long been shaped by migrant communities. Venezuelan DJ Aérea Negrot, at a 2017 edition of Buttons, highlighted this when she shouted, ‘Integration is a two-way street!’, emphasizing the reciprocal nature of cultural exchange. The diverse and inclusive nightlife we know today owes much to migration.
Our multicultural identity
The PACE Committee on Migration highlights migration’s role in countering population decline while enriching host societies. It contributes to the constant growth of intercultural and interfaith dialogues, diversifying cuisines, art, and customs. Long story short, migration expands our culture in every way.
Migration is not just essential for Europe’s economies, it’s a driving force behind cultural and societal evolution. From food to music, migrant communities have reshaped traditions. The UK’s beloved fish and chips, introduced by Sephardic Jewish immigrants from Spain and Portugal in the 16th century, and Germany’s Döner Kebab, introduced by Turkish migrants in Berlin in the late 1960s are now cultural staples. European music has, too, thrived on migration. French rap, inspired by African and Middle Eastern influences, has shaped the country’s sound with artists like Booba and Niska. Europe’s identity is built on diversity, proving that migration doesn’t just sustain the prosperity of nations, it defines our identity.
