Migrants ‘good for economy’

INTERNATIONAL Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde says EU countries should welcome more migrants because they help boost the economy.

Speaking in the run-up to a G20 summit being held in Antaya, Turkey, where migrants will be discussed, Mrs Lagarde said that an influx of new migrants “managed with appropriate measures can be beneficial to the host country by increasing their active population and boosting work.

“Preliminary calculations by the IMF show a moderate positive impact of the migrants on the growth of EU countries.”

In particular, she said migrants can help with aging populations in wealthy countries, reducing pressure on the pension systems and healthcare costs.

Mrs Lagarde said however that while some EU countries had welcomed a large influx, others should see how they modify their approach so as to host more of them.

It is also important for countries to adapt so as to “absorb” them, she added, for example by improving access to training and making it easier for foreign diplomas to be accepted.

Photo: Remy Steinegger