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driver of population growth.
Migrants of all skill levels make a positive economic
contribution, whether through innovation, entrepreneurship, or
freeing up natives for higher-value work.
Employment rates are slightly lower for immigrants
than for native workers in top destinations, but this varies by
skill level and by region of origin. Refugees typically take lon-
ger than voluntary migrants to integrate into the destination
country. Immigrants generally earn higher wages by moving,
but many studies have found their wages remain some 20 to
30 percent below those of comparable native-born workers.
Extensive academic evidence shows that immigration
does not harm native employment or wages, although there
can be short-term negative effects if there is a large inflow of
migrants into a small region, if migrants are close substitutes
for native workers, or if the destination economy is experien-
cing a downturn.
The costs of managing entry are typically less than 0.2
percent of GDP across major destinations but can escalate
when there is a large wave of refugees. Most studies indicate
that immigrants have a small but net positive fiscal impact in
their destination countries and play a positive role in easing
pension burdens.
In a sustainable perspective, the economic, social, and
civic dimensions of migrant integration need to be addressed
holistically. An examination of 18 major destination countries
reveals that not a single one is addressing all three of the-
se aspects effectively. MGI identifies more than 180 promi-
sing interventions from around the world that can improve in-
tegration outcomes. Some of their guiding principles include
changing the narrative to recognize the economic opportunity
inherent in immigration; beginning integration interventions
early and sustaining them over the long term; empowering
local stakeholders to implement initiatives that work for their
communities; making integration a two-way process between
native-born and immigrant communities; and building partner-

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