May 2026 – MPG in the Media
2 May | The Traveler | Germany Integration Difficulty Score Explained
Germany’s integration system is described as moderately demanding, combining structured support with high expectations for language skills, employment and civic participation. The article highlights how the Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX) places Germany above many European countries for integration policy quality, though behind Nordic leaders. MIPEX findings show Germany performs relatively well in labour market access, anti-discrimination and long-term integration frameworks, while still facing gaps in political participation and equal opportunities. The article concludes that Germany offers strong institutional support, but successful integration requires sustained personal effort and compliance with clear legal and social expectations.
The article examines South Korea’s growing foreign resident population, which now represents 4.8% of the country, with a third concentrated in Gyeonggi Province. It argues that existing policies have failed to keep pace with demographic change, particularly regarding housing, labour rights and social integration. Referring to the Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX), the piece notes that South Korea scores relatively poorly on anti-discrimination measures and labour mobility. It highlights concerns that restrictive employment rules and weak integration frameworks may hinder long-term social cohesion and migrant inclusion.
This article highlights Ammar, a Syrian refugee who arrived in Austria in 2015 and successfully integrated through rapid language learning, employment and eventual Austrian citizenship. Starting as a waiter, he became restaurant manager and is praised as a model of integration. The piece contrasts his success with Austria’s restrictive citizenship system, noting that the country scores only 13/100 in the Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX) for access to nationality. It argues that bureaucratic barriers limit participation for others.
6 May | T24| 15th Anniversary of the Arrival of Syrian Refugees | Up Close with Foreign Policy
A T24 Podcast episode discussed the 2025 MIPEX Turkey Country Report, released on the 15th anniversary of Syrian refugee arrivals in Turkey. The report shows Turkey’s migrant integration score rising from 43 in 2019 to 51 in 2025, approaching the European average. Strongest progress was recorded in access to employment, education, and healthcare for migrants. The discussion also highlighted ongoing concerns over the lack of transparency and predictability in citizenship procedures for foreigners, despite broader improvements in Turkey’s migration and harmonisation policies.
The article discusses Ukraine’s deepening demographic crisis, warning that the country loses around 320,000 people annually, equivalent to the population of a city like Vinnytsia. It argues that managed labour migration will be essential for economic recovery and highlights international models from Canada, Australia, Sweden and the Czech Republic. Referring to the Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX), the article notes Sweden’s strong integration performance, stressing the importance of language training, qualification recognition and local integration programmes to avoid segregation and support social cohesion in Ukraine.
The article discusses Ukraine’s deepening demographic crisis, warning that the country loses around 320,000 people annually, equivalent to the population of a city like Vinnytsia. It argues that managed labour migration will be essential for economic recovery and highlights international models from Canada, Australia, Sweden and the Czech Republic. Referring to the Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX), the article notes Sweden’s strong integration performance, stressing the importance of language training, qualification recognition and local integration programmes to avoid segregation and support social cohesion in Ukraine.
The article discusses Ukraine’s deepening demographic crisis, warning that the country loses around 320,000 people annually, equivalent to the population of a city like Vinnytsia. It argues that managed labour migration will be essential for economic recovery and highlights international models from Canada, Australia, Sweden and the Czech Republic. Referring to the Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX), the article notes Sweden’s strong integration performance, stressing the importance of language training, qualification recognition and local integration programmes to avoid segregation and support social cohesion in Ukraine.
The article discusses Ukraine’s deepening demographic crisis, warning that the country loses around 320,000 people annually, equivalent to the population of a city like Vinnytsia. It argues that managed labour migration will be essential for economic recovery and highlights international models from Canada, Australia, Sweden and the Czech Republic. Referring to the Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX), the article notes Sweden’s strong integration performance, stressing the importance of language training, qualification recognition and local integration programmes to avoid segregation and support social cohesion in Ukraine.
The article discusses Ukraine’s deepening demographic crisis, warning that the country loses around 320,000 people annually, equivalent to the population of a city like Vinnytsia. It argues that managed labour migration will be essential for economic recovery and highlights international models from Canada, Australia, Sweden and the Czech Republic. Referring to the Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX), the article notes Sweden’s strong integration performance, stressing the importance of language training, qualification recognition and local integration programmes to avoid segregation and support social cohesion in Ukraine.
The article discusses Ukraine’s deepening demographic crisis, warning that the country loses around 320,000 people annually, equivalent to the population of a city like Vinnytsia. It argues that managed labour migration will be essential for economic recovery and highlights international models from Canada, Australia, Sweden and the Czech Republic. Referring to the Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX), the article notes Sweden’s strong integration performance, stressing the importance of language training, qualification recognition and local integration programmes to avoid segregation and support social cohesion in Ukraine.
The article discusses Ukraine’s deepening demographic crisis, warning that the country loses around 320,000 people annually, equivalent to the population of a city like Vinnytsia. It argues that managed labour migration will be essential for economic recovery and highlights international models from Canada, Australia, Sweden and the Czech Republic. Referring to the Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX), the article notes Sweden’s strong integration performance, stressing the importance of language training, qualification recognition and local integration programmes to avoid segregation and support social cohesion in Ukraine.
The article discusses Ukraine’s deepening demographic crisis, warning that the country loses around 320,000 people annually, equivalent to the population of a city like Vinnytsia. It argues that managed labour migration will be essential for economic recovery and highlights international models from Canada, Australia, Sweden and the Czech Republic. Referring to the Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX), the article notes Sweden’s strong integration performance, stressing the importance of language training, qualification recognition and local integration programmes to avoid segregation and support social cohesion in Ukraine.
The article discusses Ukraine’s deepening demographic crisis, warning that the country loses around 320,000 people annually, equivalent to the population of a city like Vinnytsia. It argues that managed labour migration will be essential for economic recovery and highlights international models from Canada, Australia, Sweden and the Czech Republic. Referring to the Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX), the article notes Sweden’s strong integration performance, stressing the importance of language training, qualification recognition and local integration programmes to avoid segregation and support social cohesion in Ukraine.
7 May | Tukey in Depth | Turkey’s migration integration record shows significant improvement
Turkey has significantly improved its migration integration policies, according to the 2025 MIPEX report, with its score rising from 43 to 51 since 2019. Hosting around 4.4 million foreigners, including 3.1 million Syrians, Turkey has shifted from emergency responses to more institutionalised policies. Progress is noted in labour access, education, and healthcare, despite public tensions over migration. Experts say Turkey’s integration efforts coexist with voluntary return policies, although pathways to permanent residency and citizenship remain limited and unpredictable for most Syrians.
The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom Türkiye and the Migration Policy Group presented the MIPEX 2025 findings at a forum in Istanbul, bringing together policymakers, academics and civil society representatives. Discussions focused on Türkiye’s progress and remaining challenges in migrant integration policies, particularly in education, labour market access and social inclusion. Participants stressed the need for evidence-based and rights-based approaches to integration. The event highlighted how the Migration Studies serves as an important benchmark for comparing integration policies and guiding future reforms in Türkiye.
9 May | Europe Says | MIPEX : MIPEX 2025 Results for Türkiye Discussed in Istanbul
The Migration Policy Group and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom Türkiye presented the MIPEX 2025 findings for Türkiye at a policy forum in Istanbul on 4 May 2026. Experts, policymakers and civil society representatives discussed Türkiye’s migration and integration policies, highlighting progress in education, health and labour mobility while identifying structural gaps in long-term integration, equal opportunities and social cohesion. Speakers stressed the importance of inclusive, data-driven and sustainable migration governance for the future.
Slovakia is increasingly dependent on foreign workers to address labour shortages, especially in industry and services, but integration policies remain weak and fragmented. The article highlights barriers such as limited language support, poor recognition of qualifications, and inadequate long-term inclusion measures. It notes that Slovakia scores just 39/100 on the Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX), classifying the country as offering “equality on paper” rather than effective integration in practice.
Poland has improved its integration policy performance, scoring 44/100 in the latest MIPEX 2025 report, three points higher than in 2020. The article highlights stronger support for Ukrainian refugees, especially migrant children in education, alongside extended legal protections and access to services for displaced Ukrainians until March 2026. New statistical tools and demographic reports also underline integration challenges, particularly language barriers. Public opinion surveys show moderate support for state-led integration policies and migrant inclusion initiatives in Poland.
18 May | The Local | ‘Trend will continue’: Number of people refused entry to Europe sees sharp rise
New Eurostat figures show refusals at EU and Schengen borders rose 7% in 2025, with 132,600 non EU nationals denied entry, particularly Ukrainians, Albanians and Moldovans. The article links the increase to tighter border enforcement and the rollout of the EU’s Entry Exit System. MPG’s Senior Legal Policy Analyst Carmine Conte said the figures reflect “stronger border enforcement implementation across Europe” and warned the trend would likely continue as the EU prioritises reducing irregular migration and increasing returns.
The article in one of Germany’s largest regional daily newspapers, discusses countries with easier access to citizenship for migrants, drawing on the MIPEX index developed by MPG and partners. It explains that countries scoring highly in MIPEX, such as Sweden, Portugal and Belgium, provide clearer pathways, shorter residency requirements and stronger integration support. The piece contrasts these with states where naturalisation is more restrictive or bureaucratic. Using MIPEX data, the article argues that inclusive citizenship policies improve long-term integration and participation in society.
The article criticises Italian right-wing politicians for using the Modena car attack to fuel anti-migrant and Islamophobic narratives before investigations established the facts. It argues that the suspect’s social exclusion, mental health struggles and labour precarity were ignored in favour of racist rhetoric targeting “second generations”. The piece specifically cites the MIPEX index, developed by Migration Policy Group and partners, highlighting structural inequalities faced by people of migrant background in Italy, including higher poverty and housing overcrowding rates. It argues that integration requires equality, welfare and anti-discrimination policies.
The article in a Swiss-based Albanian-language media outlet, reports a growing number of people being refused entry at European borders as migration controls tighten across the EU. It highlights concerns from rights organisations about pushbacks, racial profiling and inconsistent asylum procedures affecting migrants and refugees. The piece refers to broader integration challenges identified by the MIPEX index, developed by MPG and partners, noting that restrictive border and migration policies often undermine long-term inclusion, equal opportunities and social cohesion. It argues that Europe’s response increasingly prioritises deterrence over integration and protection.
20 May | ChatEurope| Should foreign residents have the right to vote in local elections?
An article published by ChatEurope examines whether foreign residents should have voting rights in local elections, highlighting growing debates on democratic inclusion across Europe. The piece discusses how several European countries already grant local voting rights to non-citizens under certain conditions, while others remain restrictive. It also references the work of the Migration Policy Group, whose research and policy analysis support broader political participation and representation for migrants as part of inclusive democratic governance.
An article in Epoch Times Japan discusses Japan’s growing debate over foreign labour and migration amid population decline. During a Senate committee hearing, politicians and experts debated how to balance labour shortages with social cohesion. The article specifically references the Migration Integration Policy Index (MIPEX), citing Sweden’s previously high MIPEX ranking while arguing that integration challenges, unemployment among migrants, and welfare pressures remain significant. The discussion contrasts Europe’s migration experience with Japan’s more labour-focused migration approach and calls for stricter integration and screening policies.
A debate article in Swedish newspaper Göteborgs-Posten argues that Sweden’s integration model has struggled because policies often focus on group identities rather than individual inclusion, employment, education, and shared societal values. The piece claims that segregation, weak labour market integration, and cultural isolation have undermined social cohesion. In relation to MIPEX, the debate reflects a broader Swedish discussion about whether strong policy frameworks and high MIPEX rankings necessarily translate into successful everyday integration outcomes. The article calls for more practical, individual-centred integration measures focused on participation and belonging.
About the Migration Policy Group (MPG)
MPG is an independent think-and-do-tank based in Brussels. MPG’s purpose is rooted in its ability to inspire networks to provide evidence-based projects, research and campaigns in the areas of integration, migration and anti-discrimination.