Migrants with degrees less likely to get job

MANY migrant groups in Ireland face higher unemployment levels than people born here, despite having a higher level of education, according to a new study.

Migrants of working age are more likely to hold a third-level qualification than people born in this country, for whom the figure is around 40%.

The Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) study analysed data on first-generation migrants – those born abroad in more than 100 countries.

It compares differences in educational qualifications, English language skills, unemployment and job quality, using data from the Irish Census. Within broad regional groups such as Europe, Asia and Africa, the study found wide differences.

Among Asian migrants, those from Taiwan, South Korea and India are most likely to hold third-level degrees, while those from Afghanistan, Thailand and Vietnam are least likely.

Meanwhile, many first-generation migrant groups from Africa have higher unemployment rates than people born in Ireland.

The report found that migrants from countries with a high rate of asylum applications to Ireland tend to have worse labour market outcomes, even after accounting for their education, English language skills, age, gender, ethnicity, nationality and duration of residence in Ireland.

‘This could be because of factors related to the trauma and disruption experienced by protection applicants prior to and during migration,’ the report continued.

Migrants born in EU countries have lower rates of unemployment than other migrants, but among those who are working, EU migrants are less likely to work in high-skilled jobs.

Migrants with higher educational qualifications and better English language skills are less likely to be unemployed and more likely to be working in professional or managerial jobs.

Among non-EU migrants, being an Irish citizen is associated with lower unemployment rates, accounting for other factors. The report’s author, Frances McGinnity, said: ‘These findings underscore the importance of English language skills and of recognising foreign qualifications for migrants in the Irish labour market.’