The refugee crisis offers an opportunity for Europe to promote sustainable, inclusive growth

The integration of migrants and refugees into European societies presents a challenge for EU states, but are there also opportunities afforded to Europe by the current refugee crisis? Based on the Bertelsmann Stiftung’s Social Justice Index (SJI) report, Kim Wellmann writes that swift integration policies could transform the crisis into an opportunity for Europe to address demographic issues within EU economies and promote inclusive growth.

The Bertelsmann Stiftung conducts an annual study of developments in opportunities for social participation in all 28 EU member states. The report for 2015 suggests that despite economic recovery, the gap between young and old is growing and the social divide between northern and southern Europe remains immense.

• Primary Source

ESO: Information Guide: European Migration Challenges http://www.europeansources.info/record/information-guide-european-migration-challenges/

ESO: Background information: Economic challenges and prospects of the refugee influx http://www.europeansources.info/record/economic-challenges-and-prospects-of-the-refugee-influx/

ESO: Background information: Social justice index reveals 'highly explosive situation' in Europe http://www.europeansources.info/record/social-justice-index-reveals-highly-explosive-situation-in-europe/

Bertelsmann Stiftung: Social Justice in the EU – Index Report 2015 http://www.bertelsmann-stiftung.de/en/publications/publication/did/social-justice-in-the-eu-index-report-2015/

Germany: Federal Statistical Office: Press Release, 20.01.16: Currently high immigration cannot reverse population ageing https://www.destatis.de/EN/PressServices/Press/pr/2016/01/PE16_021_12421.html

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