This report examines indicators currently used to assess migrant integration across the Nordic region. Indicators are measurable variables used to represent complex phenomena and track changes outcomes over time. In light of increasing migration, the ability of national statistical systems to capture relevant dimensions of integration including social participation and civic engagement has become essential for evidence-based policymaking. While structural aspects of integration are well-documented, social integration dimensions are often overlooked despite their critical importance for social cohesion. Nordic countries do show commitment to monitoring integration outcomes (Arbeids- og inkluderingsdepartementet (AID), 2021; Gauffin & Lyytinen, 2017; SOU, 2024b, 2024a), but their approaches and indicators vary significantly across the region.
This report aims to answer two research questions:
What types of indicators for social and civic integration of migrants are currently used by National Statistical Institutes in the Nordic region? And what are their principal strengths and limitations?
What improvements can be made to the measurements of migrants’ integration, including the social and civic integration?
By addressing these questions, the report aims to provide a comparative overview of current practices within national statistical institutes, identify methodological and conceptual challenges, and propose pathways for enhancing the utility of integration indicators. The findings contribute to a broader understanding of how statistical systems can better support integration governance in the Nordic context through the development of more comprehensive, consistent, and policy-relevant measurement frameworks.
The report is structured into four sections. The first section presents a short Literature review, which sets the background for the report. This review explains the definition and concept of civic engagement and social integration of migrants, discusses the importance of assessing these aspects, and highlights the benefits of comparative analysis across the Nordic countries. This is followed by a methodological section, which briefly describes the methods and data used in the subsequent analysis.
In the next section, An outlook on the status of Nordic indicators, we provide a comprehensive description of statistical indicators identified through our research and interviews with representatives from Nordic National Statistical Offices. We detail existing indicators, critically assess their strengths and weaknesses, and explore key challenges in developing effective measures for social and civic integration. In addition, this section provides an overview of data from other national-level institutions related to the social and civic integration of migrants in the Nordic region.
The following section, Other possible available indicators, highlights a range of surveys and other data sources that are available from international and European institutions as well as Nordic datasets. We then critically assess and discuss the opportunities and challenges these approaches present for developing additional indicators of social and civic integration in the future.
The final section, 'Going Back to the Basics: should integration be measured in the Nordics and how?, presents a brief reflection on measurement implications, followed by recommendations.