Integration of refugees and social inequality

Refugee migration has surged in the 21st century, driven by conflicts, persecution, and instability in regions like the Middle East, Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa, and parts of South- Eastern Asia and Latin America and, recently, the Russian invasion into Ukraine. By 2022, the number of forcibly displaced individuals globally reached 108 million, with 40 million crossing international borders, indicating an unparalleled scale of displacement. Germany has become a primary destination, hosting a refugee population that grew from 0.5 to 3.1 million between 2010 and 2022 (DESTATIS, 2023). This significant influx, which increased the refugee share of the population from 0.6% to 3.7% (DESTATIS, 2023), has profound implications for the country's social and economic fabric. The issue of refugees’ successful integration is often framed as a cause of anxiety; culturally, politically, and economically in Germany and else in Europe and there is no consensus about the best way to promote their integration. This course will explore these debates through literature on several aspects of refugees’ integration in Western Europe.
In particular, this course will first describe the recent refugee flows with a particular focus on Germany. Next, it will outline the factors shaping decisions to migrate and outline the differences between migration process of refugees and other migrants. Finally, we will engage in debates around models of immigrant incorporation and consider whether and how they are applicable to refugees. Here, we will focus on issues related to asylum procedure, labor market access, family reunification, access to education and language acquisition, access to healthcare, family roles, and networks; and address complex issues of integration of vulnerable groups such as women, children, and low-educated.