According to data reviewed by RIA Novosti, the number of participants in migrant integration programmes in the European Union is planned to be cut fourfold by 2029. This comes against the backdrop of rising funding, indicating a shift in focus in support for non-EU citizens.
Changes in EU migrant integration programmes
Although the total amount of EU funding allocated for integration under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) increased from 911 million euros in 2014–2020 to 1.96 billion euros in 2021–2027, managing authorities project a sharp decline in the number of programme participants.
Projected number of AMIF participants
According to the forecasts, the targets for the number of participants in AMIF integration measures across all member states will fall from 9.7 million people (end of 2022) to 2.5 million people by early 2029, a reduction of roughly 75%.
Scale of coverage and total number of non-EU citizens
Integration measures financed by AMIF, which include language courses, educational activities, counselling and career guidance, are projected to cover only about 8% of the total number of non-EU citizens in the EU. According to Eurostat, about 30.6 million citizens of non-EU countries lived in the European Union as of January 1, 2025.
- AMIF finances measures to promote the integration of citizens of non-EU states
- About 30.6 million citizens of non-EU countries lived in the EU as of January 1, 2025
European media previously reported difficulties in funding integration programmes at both national and local levels.
