Belgium scores highly for integration policies: study

Belgium ranks as one of the highest in the developed world for integrating migrants into the country, a new international study has found.

The Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX) measures policies used to integrate migrants in all EU member states, Norway, Iceland, Turkey, the U.S., Canada, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.

Belgium was ranked 7th out of the 38 countries, with an overall MIPEX score of 67 percent.

According to the study, migrants continue to benefit from Belgium's long-standing integration polices, such as school support for migrant pupils, accessible health services, support for political participation, a strong system for establishing permanent residence and strong anti-discrimination laws.

The country scored particularly highly in policies that allow migrants to become permanent residents, scoring a rating of 86 per cent, and ranking it number 1 out of the 38 countries.

Belgium also ranked high on anti-discrimination policies at 78 percent and policies that allow family reunification at 72 percent.

However, the country scored lowest on health policies at 53 percent.

According to the study, while migrants "have favourable entitlements and access" to healthcare, "few services and policies are responding to their specific health needs."

Belgium has been a country of net immigration since the 1950s, with an estimated 11 percent of the population being born outside the country, and with 8 percent being the second generation.

Of the foreign-born population 50 percent are from other EU nations. Endit