Today, the Center for Liberal Studies released a Policy Paper examining the effects of migration on European and American society and economy, drawing on empirical studies.
According to KEFIM, the overall economic effects of migration in Europe and the USA are neutral to positive, as shown in their review of empirical evidence. “This study evaluates scientific data regarding the economic and public safety impacts of migration in host countries, challenging the common belief that migration leads to higher crime rates or economic strain,” states the press release.
Key findings of the study include:
«- Migration generally has a neutral to positive economic impact. Migrants help alleviate labor shortages, boost productivity, and positively affect public finances, particularly younger and highly skilled workers. Short-term integration expenses, such as housing and language training, are counterbalanced in the medium term by increased tax revenues and job creation.
– Concerning public safety, many studies fail to find a correlation between migration and rising crime rates. In fact, areas with higher numbers of migrants often report lower violent crime rates, and in the USA, undocumented migrants have a lower incarceration rate compared to natives with similar socio-economic backgrounds.
– In terms of long-term implications, a lack of migration would severely affect development, employment, and fiscal stability in Europe. Data from the European Commission indicates that without migration, the active population in Europe could decline by up to 29% by 2060 (in contrast to an 11.9% decrease with migration), annual growth rates would drop below 1%, and production losses could reach 47 trillion dollars.
KEFIM’s policy recommendations include:
«- Promoting legal and organized migration
– Improving integration policies focused on education and employment
– Enhancing the quality of security and crime data
– Optimizing migration as a demographic and developmental asset
– Strengthening European collaboration».
Two political figures also commented on the study. Dimitris Kairidis, a parliamentary member from New Democracy, stated: “Attracting legal, adequate, and quality migration is essential for Greece’s prosperity in the 21st century. This requires active policies for attraction and integration alongside a firm stance against illegal migration and the insecurity it brings.” Kairidis remarked that “the current anti-migration stance in the USA provides an opportunity for Europe and Greece to draw in scientists and talents. The government’s upcoming legislative initiative, which I will supervise in 2024, aims to achieve this.”
Vasilis Chronopoulos, secretary of PASOK-Movement for Change’s Migration Policy Sector, mentioned: “Recent years have seen migration issues exploited by the far-right, leading to misleading public discourse based on misinformation. Conversely, statistical data and scientific research present migration not as a problem, but as a necessity. The KEFIM document comprehensively and accessibly summarizes data and international experiences, advocating for a more rational approach that our country must pursue.”
Finally, KEFIM president Nikos Rombapas emphasized: “Discussions about migration in Europe and the USA often stem from unfounded fears and biases. Scientific research indicates that when managed through legal entry, residence, work, and integration policies, migration yields positive outcomes in terms of development, employment, and fiscal sustainability. Many migration-related issues arise from a lack of effective management frameworks, and this is where our focus should lie.” (23/10/25)
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