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Talent displaced: The economic lives of Syrian refugees in Europe
New report from Deloitte and the Refugee Studies Centre at the University of Oxford sheds light on the economic potential of Syrian refugees
The report, Talent displaced: The economic lives of Syrian refugees in Europe, is the result of a survey of 305 Syrian refugees in Austria, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, as well as qualitative interviews with businesses in these countries. The survey and interviews were conducted from March to June 2017, and is the result of a collaboration between Deloitte and the Refugee Studies Centre at the University of Oxford (RSC). It aims to contribute to the conversation on the major challenges facing refugees as they seek employment. Understanding these challenges can help businesses, government, and NGOs better target the assistance they provide to refugees in Europe.
View or download the report
Educated and skilled, but unemployed
The survey presents a paradox: a significant number of refugees surveyed are highly educated and skilled; 38% have university education, and one-third were employed in either skilled work or the professional services industry in Syria. However, the majority of the respondents – 82% – were unemployed.
Major barriers to employment
Language was one of the greatest barriers to employment, with 84% of refugees surveyed reporting that speaking the local language is the biggest barrier to access employment. Another key barrier related to skills: 63% of the refugees surveyed say they preferred to work in jobs that were linked to their existing skills and previous employment experiences.
Many of the businesses interviewed were open to the idea of hiring refugees, but seek legal and regulatory guidance around employing refugees. Additionally, many had misconceptions relating to their potential as prospective employees.
"Syrian refugees in Europe often have skills and talents. And yet they are likely to be unemployed. We have collaborated with Deloitte to explain this paradox and identify practical solutions.”
Alexander Betts, Professor of Forced Migration and International Affairs and former Director of the Refugee Studies Centre at the University of Oxford
“This work is part of our ongoing commitment to impacting people’s lives through education, skills, and providing access to opportunity. The report aims to help fill in knowledge gaps about the economic potential, skills, and talents of Syrian refugees in Europe.
Through this initiative we are helping to identify and address challenges refugees face as they seek work and become part of their communities, while also showing how refugees are positive contributors to their new society. The more we can do to inform public opinion, policy, and actions, the more people and communities we can help.”
Jacques Buith, Deloitte Northwest Europe senior partner and global lead client service partner for the United Nations
Bridging the gap
The report findings suggest a number of practical implications to better support the economic ambitions of refugees. As the report suggests, Syrian refugees in Europe have skills, talents, and aspirations. From closing the language training gap to exploring labor market matching platforms and recognizing technology as an opportunity, business, government, civil society – and refugees themselves – all have an important role to play in enhancing the economic participation of refugees in their host countries.