Informing Integration Policies Through Research: A Scoping Literature Review on Factors Influencing Migrants’ Integration in Switzerland

Abstract

Even though “integration” is a widely criticized concept, research showed that studying migrants’ integration might inform countries’ migration policies. Therefore, this literature review aimed to describe migrants’ integration factors in Switzerland to consider ways to inform Swiss policies. Hence, in this scoping review, we searched seven electronic databases and screened studies following JBI guidelines. We analyzed 40 studies fulfilling eligibility criteria. Findings highlighted that literature on migrants’ integration in Switzerland grew over the past decade, mainly focusing on refugees and asylum seekers, and migrants from the Middle East and North Africa, Central and Eastern Europe, and Sub-Saharan Africa. Whereas research predominantly focused on professional, school, social, and cultural integration, some scholars broadened their scope by exploring political participation, and access to and experiences with the healthcare system. Studies revealed the influence of individual (skills, knowledge, and characteristics) and structural (administrative decisions, delays, and procedures) factors of integration, and pointed to the importance of social relationships and territoriality for migrants’ integration. While Swiss integration policy sharply focuses on migrants’ individual responsibility and unevenly target different groups, our findings urge policymakers to actively support migrants in their lifelong process of integration by considering under-represented groups and regions, sustaining local association-led initiatives, providing cultural and social meeting places, streamlining administrative procedures, and promoting equity in healthcare. Research that provides a broad perspective on integration might help Swiss policymakers to shape their integration approach in a way that fosters equal rights and a better access to the receiving society’s resources.

Keywords: Integration domains, Integration factors, Integration policies, Switzerland, Critical perspective on integration