Data gaps in refugee integration in Europe: A comparative assessment of data availability in 14 EU countries

This analysis is part of the National Integration Evaluation Mechanism (NIEM). Launched in 2016, this initiative has provided evidence on the quality of government support for the integration of beneficiaries of international protection (BIPs) in 14 countries, based on more than 170 indicators. Out of these, 120 robust indicators refer to the legal, policy and coordination/implementation framework in place and can be directly compared by using a scoring system. The NIEM comprehensive European reports present these results, as a regular monitoring of refugee integration policies referring to the 2017, 2019 and 2021 situation. Concerning 44 indicators which relate to statistical and administrative data, however, a stringent comparison based on a scoring system is not feasible as of now due to prevailing data gaps. Through their pervasive character, the current data gaps render a systematic and meaningful comparison across countries impossible. Therefore, an in-depth analysis of these gaps is crucial to gain a better understanding of deficiencies of refugee integration policies and to encourage relevant solutions.
Using the 2021 results of the research conducted by NIEM partners in all 14 involved countries, this analysis therefore sets out to map, as a first step, the availability of data supporting evidence-based refugee integration policymaking as measured by NIEM indicators. By mapping the data gaps, NIEM is moving closer to an all-out refugee integration index that also measures to what extent governments dispose of a comprehensive knowledge base for developing, implementing and evaluating their policies.