A study conducted by the University of Leiden, Netherlands, shows that migrants cost European governments less than their citizens and provide a net contribution to public finances.
Migrants cost European governments less than their citizens and in some countries, they even provide contributions to public finances: This finding emerges from a study published by three economists from the University of Leiden in the Netherlands.
The analysis looked at data from 15 European countries, accounting for benefits such as assistance or unemployment, and subtracting these from the taxes paid. The states that the researchers examined include Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Greece, as well as Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Ireland, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Portugal, Slovenia and Sweden.
Also read:'Germany needs migration to maintain productivity'
'Populist myth that migrants weigh on public finances debunked'
What emerges is that in the majority of European countries, migrants cost a lot less than the native population.
"This study debunks the populist myth of migrants having the strongest impact on social security and public finances compared to the population of the European States. Actually, it is the exact contrary," declared one of the three economists, Giacomo Boffi (the other two are Eduard-Suari-Andreu and Olaf van Vliet), while speaking to Belgian media.
During the financial crisis the net contribution of migrants and natives fell, explained researcher Boffi: "After the crisis, the contribution of migrants rapidly returned to pre-crisis levels while the local population was left behind, due to the increase in the number of retired people," he explained.
Read more: Migrants in Italy produce wealth, while becoming poorer
Migrants pay more taxes
Migrants integrate themselves better, their level of education is increasing, make more money and therefore pay more taxes. Given the aging of the local population, the role of migrants is becoming increasingly important, states the study.
From an economic and financial standpoint it does not appear to be a migrant crisis, states Boffi: "On the contrary. It would be wise for Europe to consider its economic interests in its migration policies".
"Natives hold a fiscal position that is relatively more negative in the majority of the countries and for many years, with a growing fiscal gap compared to migrants. This result is more evident in southern European countries, where migrants are often the net contributors," states the research study.
Read more: Brain waste: Immigrants overqualified but underemployed and underpaid