Research project "IMMIGBEL" (BRAIN-be project)

Belgium has become an immigrant society. First generation migrants account for more than 15 percent of the Belgian work force and for over 50 percent of labour force growth. However, the socio-economic position of migrants in Belgium leaves much to be desired: the employment rate gap between migrants and natives and first generation migrants’ poverty rates are the highest in the EU15.

The IMMIGBEL research project (Improving the Labour Market Position of People with a Migration background in Belgium) aims to understand the causes behind the employment rate of people with a migration background. Researchers will use large scale longitudinal data (from administrative datasets and surveys) to map labour market trajectories of these people. They will analyze the role of determinants such as origin, migration history, gender, age and household characteristics. The project contains a special focus on gender gap, and the opportunities for women with immigration background on the labour market. Finally, the project will invest the labour market integration of new comers and especially role of the demand side - firms and employers.

The project is led by University of Antwerp, with the collaboration of ULB (François Rycx, Centre Emile Bernheim & DULBEA, Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management).

End of the project: 15/03/2021