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Immigration in Post Enlargement EU
While other countries imposed various kinds of quotas
and restrictions, the UK, Ireland, and Sweden allowed workers from the
new member countries access to their labor markets. The UK implemented a
Worker Registration Scheme, and required all immigrants from the new
member countries to obtain a work permit. Since the accession, till
December 31, 2005, nearly 345,000 applicants from the new member
countries registered with the Worker Registration Scheme to work in the
UK. Of these, around 329,000 applicants were issued worker registration
certificates and cards. The Polish were the largest group of all
(204,895) followed by the Lithuanians (44,715). |
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More than 80% of the immigrant workers were aged between 18
and 34. (Refer to Exhibit VIII for details on immigrants to the UK between May
2004 and December 2005)...
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Outlook
Though many of the older EU members have imposed restrictions on
immigration from the new member states, it is believed that these
countries will eventually have to take in an increasing number of
immigrants to offset the growing number of vacancies in their labor
markets caused by ageing populations and exacerbated by the declining
fertility rates in Europe. The Total Fertility Rate in Europe was
estimated to be below 1.5 since 1995 through 2003, making an eventual
decrease in the EU population inevitable. This decrease in population is
expected to have serious consequences for EU's future in terms of growth
rates and development... |
Exhibits
Exhibit I: Map of European Union in 2005
Exhibit II: Real GDP Growth Rates in the Old and New Member States in %
Exhibit III: Hourly Labor Costs in Industry and Services in 2000 &
Labor Productivity in the EU in 2002
Exhibit IV: Unemployment Rates in Select Old Eu Members
Exhibit V: Economic Indicators of the EU and its member states
Exhibit VI: Area and Population Statistics of the EU and its Member States
Exhibit VII: Unemployment Rates in Select New EU Member States
Exhibit VIII: Nationality of Applicants by Quarter Applied in the UK May 2004 -
December 2005
Exhibit IX: Sectors in which Registered Workers are employed in the UK, by
Quarter Applied May 2004 - December 2005
Exhibit X: Applications for Tax-funded, Income-related benefits in the UK May
2004 - December 2005
Exhibit XI: GDP Growth Rates of Select EU Member States
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