INTEGRATIONSPROCESSEN FÖR MUSLIMSKA TREDJELANDSMIGRANTER PÅ DEN EUROPEISKA ARBETSMARKNADEN En kvalitativ studie om tredjelandsmigranter som immigrerat till Sverige under flyktingkrisen 2015

Abstract

In 2015, Europe faced a substantial migration wave that was challenging for both its reception systems and politicians. This migration wave primarily comprised third-country nationals, many of whom emigrated from Muslim-majority countries. This study investigates the experiences of European labor market integration among third-country Muslim migrants, with main focus on those who migrated to Sweden in 2015. The analysis focuses on theories concerning human capital, social capital, and discrimination. The research is based on a qualitative method, involving seven interviews. Findings indicate that while higher education generally facilitates labor market integration, language barriers and the validation of foreign qualifications present considerable challenges. Participants with strong social networks, particularly those that include native Swedes, experienced a more seamless integration process. Discrimination was widespread, especially affecting visibly religious individuals, with women wearing hijabs encountering the most substantial obstacles. The study concludes that integration is influenced by education, social networks and discrimination, but the results, however, indicate that human capital has the most substantial impact on the labor market integration of third-country Muslim migrants.