IMMIGRATION IN EUROPEAN UNION. ECONOMIC EFFECTS, LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK AND STATISTICAL OVERVIEW

Abstract

Presently, immigration is a global subject that generates many challenges and controversy all over the world. Its positive and negative effects in the society can not be ignored. So, in every state, government and population has to colaborate and find solutions for the immigrants integration for the overall well-being. More than ever, the countries that are confronting with an ageing population and the large flows of refugees must take action. This is also the case of most European Union countries. There are many debates among European Union’s decision factors on this theme. Through its legal framework, its policies, the European Union has tried to build a balance between regular immigration and EU citizens and to fight against irregular immigration. The present paper provides an overview of immigration phenomenon in the European Union. It combines the theoretical presentation with a short statistical analysis of the immigrants flow in all member states. This theme is of great interest not only at institutional level, but for each of us. Why? According to the World Bank, one in seven individuals in the world is currently a migrant. The inflow of immigrants in the European Union is a reality and is generating serious challenges in many fields of society: law, finance, economy, labour market. Integrating immigrants and their children into the labour market and society as a whole is essential for promoting social cohesion and economic growth of receiving countries. The paper outlines the economic effects of immigration, the main directives of European Union in the field of immigration and some solutions of better integration of the immigrants and their children.

Keywords

• immigration, European Union, economic effects, directive, integration, immigrants