Public expenditure related to refugee migration

So far, there has been little systematic evidence on the structure of public expenditure for refugees. This is the motivation of this project investigating the level and distribution of refugee-related expenditures and their economic effects. In view of the diversity of country and local regulations and practices, an exploratory approach has been adopted, analysing spending and recipient structures in a small number of local communities in depth.

The results show the high share of expenditure for the provision of housing to asylum seekers. This is mainly due to the proportion of refugees living in shared accommodation. The amount of integration-related expenditures (e.g. for public childcare, language courses and social inclusion measures) is difficult to quantify, but it clearly emerges that there are large differences between local communities, depending on the financial situation, but also on the adoption of a long-term integration strategy. Overall, there is no uniformity in local spending related to refugees.

Report