The OECD and the twin migration and refugee crises in Europe

Abstract

Several international stakeholders made their voice heard in the debate on the migration and refugee crises in Europe that peaked in 2014-2015. Frequently their arguments would reduce the challenge of migration to moral and legal obligation of the host countries. In contrast, the OECD, drawing on its vast advisory experience, global outlook and socio-economic profile, offered a more pragmatic policy-oriented approach to both crises and their corollaries. Specifically, the OECD pointed to the demographic and economic opportunities arising from the influx of the large number of migrants to Europe. This notwithstanding, even if the stakes are high, it remains an open-ended question if the OECD member-states will be able to turn these opportunities into sustainable socio-economic benefits.