This meta-study investigates recent research on the effects of immigration on the welfare state in Austria, Germany and Switzerland. Due to the 2015 arrival of high numbers of refugees into Europe, the focus is on studies about asylum seekers, recognized refugees and, more generally, on forced...

When immigrants arrive in a new country, they are confronted with new labour market requirements such as language proficiency, familiarity with job-search procedures and work practices which they are not always able to satisfy. Over time, this expertise can be acquired. In practice however,...