New Report Develops Key Regional Indicators to Measure Migration’s Impact on Development

2024 September 27

A newly released report, "Regional Development Indicators," by Dr. Korrie Melis and Dr. Elles Bulder, is providing the PREMIUM_EU project and eventually policymakers, with the indicators and data needed to better understand the nuanced interplay between migration and regional development, offering insights into how migration can either propel or hinder regional development. The authors explore key themes such as demographic shifts, economic contributions, and the role of transnational networks, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges migration presents for sustainable regional growth.

A standout feature of the report is its typology of regions as "winners" or "losers" in the migration landscape, offering a valuable tool for understanding the uneven distribution of migration benefits. The PREMIUM_EU project will integrate these findings into its Regional Policy Dashboard, empowering local policymakers with data-driven insights to craft more balanced and effective strategies for managing migration and regional development.

Methodological Challenges

The development of the regional indicators involved addressing significant methodological challenges. Especially around the availability and consistency of data. While economic indicators were relatively easy for the report team to gather, the social dimensions of regional development, such as social capital and quality of life, proved more difficult to quantify. This limitation highlights the ongoing need to develop more sophisticated metrics that capture the broader, "softer" aspects of regional development, including social cohesion and cultural transformation.

The report highlights another key challenge, which lies in navigating the political sensitivities. Migration is often framed within polarized narratives - either migration is viewed as a threat or as a solution. The authors emphasize the importance of a balanced approach that acknowledges both the positive and negative impacts of migration, while ensuring that the data provided by the report is used constructively to inform policy decisions rather than reinforce divisive political rhetoric.

 

A research blueprint towards migration's effect on regional growth

This new report begins to blueprint the complex relationship between migration and regional development. It offers a comprehensive framework for policymakers to assess how migration influences demographic, economic, and social changes in regions across Europe. By integrating these findings into tools like the Regional Policy Dashboard, PREMIUM_EU might actually be able to translate the data into actionable strategies that help regions leverage migration for sustainable growth.

There is a caveat though. The report also underscores the need for ongoing research and vast data collection to fully understand the long-term impacts of migration. Policymakers must take a holistic approach, considering not only economic metrics but also the broader social and cultural effects of migration. This will ensure that regions, particularly those that are currently "losing" in the migration landscape, can see the long-term-potential rather than immediate risks of migration.

This report highlights the PREMIUM_EU project's dedication to advancing inclusive and sustainable development throughout Europe’s varied regions - not just the one's benefiting from migration but also those struggling.

For more information about the report and the PREMIUM_EU project, see the publication page here or download it directly here.

Report authored by Korrie Melis and Elles Bulder.



 

Article by Anne Katrine Ebbesen.