“The general perception of immigrants as a burden on public finances is incorrect,” says one of the researchers. Foreign-language speakers account for about 10% of the population, but collect only about 5% of welfare benefits and other income transfers.
A new study finds that people who applied for asylum in Finland as a minor during the 2015 refugee crisis are integrating much better than those who did so as adults.
The latest changes mean that an applicant will be denied a Finnish passport if they have relied on social welfare benefits for more than three months over a two-year period.
Domestic media have reported on a new book exposing “modern slavery” in Finland, showing how some immigrants face unpaid work, long hours, and unfair conditions.
Government is considering a temporary integration support allowance for foreigners arriving in Finland who do not immediately enter employment, reported Iltalehti.
The report found Finland scored well on permanent residence and access to education, but poorly on the ease of obtaining citizenship as well as immigrants’ political participation.