Between residential and economic settlement: internal migration and employment of asylum migrants in Belgium
(2026) Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies — p. 1-23 (2026)
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Accepted Manuscript
This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies on July 7th 2026, available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/1369183X.2026.2698320.
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Author's Original Manuscript (Preprint)
This is an original manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies on July 7th 2026, available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/1369183X.2026.2698320.
Open Access - Microsoft Word XML
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- Abstract
- (en) Reception and integration of asylum migrants remain central challenges for receiving countries, as early settlement experiences are notably shaped by reception policies. Still, existing research on the economic integration of asylum migrants focuses on recognised refugees and initial residence contexts while rarely accounting for internal migration. Using longitudinal register data, we examine how the type of initial accommodation and local economic context, as well as residential (im)mobility, are associated with the economic insertion of asylum seekers who arrived in Belgium in 2012-2016. Cox proportional hazards models are applied to assess the relationship between initial reception conditions, residential moves, and the timing of first job entry, both during and after the asylum procedures. Initially residing in state-provided accommodations is positively associated with economic insertion. Yet, the period following exit from these facilities and the end of asylum procedures constitutes a critical phase when the hazards of entering employment are highest. Internal mobility, particularly moves to economically stronger districts, is generally linked to faster job entry, suggesting a mismatch between the locations of reception accommodations and areas conducive to economic insertion. Findings highlight the need for early support, shorter asylum procedures, and a reassessment of the spatial distribution of reception accommodations.
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Citations
Zimmer, N. (2026). Between residential and economic settlement: internal migration and employment of asylum migrants in Belgium. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 1-23. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369183X.2026.2698320 (Original work published 2026)