Refugees Work: A Humanitarian Investment That Yields Economic Dividends

A groundbreaking new international study released by the Tent Foundation and Open Political Economy Network (OPEN) powerfully highlights how acceptingrefugees and empowering them to succeed in the workforce can lead to significant economic growth, increased productivity and wages, new businesses and jobs, and increased international trade and innovation, among others benefits.  Specifically, the study demonstrates how investing a euro (or dollar) in welcoming refugees can yield nearly two in economic benefits within five years.

 

Philippe Legrain will discuss the findings of this report – to the authors’ knowledge, the first comprehensive, international study of how refugees can contribute to advanced economies. The key message of this study is that policymakers and practitioners should stop considering refugees as a “burden” to be shared, but rather as an opportunity to be welcomed. With a suitable upfront investment and wise policies, welcoming refugees can yield substantial economic dividends.