Refugees who quickly leave asylum centers integrate faster into Dutch society

Refugees who stayed in asylum reception for a long time and moved frequently during that period have a harder time learning the Dutch language. In the long term, they also have less chance of finding paid work or otherwise participating in society. This is the conclusion of researchers who followed a group of Syrian refugees who were granted a residency permit between 2014 and 2016 for years.

The study is a joint project of the Scientific Research and Data Center (WODC), Erasmus University Rotterdam, Statistics Netherlands (CBS), and the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM). They looked at how the asylum policy of the past years worked out in practice.

The integration process that refugees have to go through has a positive effect on language proficiency and job opportunities. People who successfully complete this process are less likely to be on welfare and find permanent employment more quickly. These differences also continue to exist in the longer term. It also helps if people have something to do during the period that they are in asylum reception, for example, language lessons or work.

The researchers advocated for a shorter reception period and actively offering daytime activities. They realize that this is “far removed” from the current government’s plans.

“As a result, asylum seekers will more likely stay in asylum shelters for longer. Where there is less room for participation due to the proposed austerity measures in reception.”