Defining Assimilation: The Narrative Around Migration

Human Rights Research Center

5 minutes ago

12 min read

Author: Meesha Falik

September 09, 2026

Anti-immigrant activity reached record highs at the beginning of 2025 in the United States, with a 75% increase in the number of people held in ICE detention, including a 2450% increase in the detention of people with no criminal records by early 2026. . The UK also recorded 251 anti-immigrant related events in 2025 alone. “March for Australia” recorded a wave of anti-immigrant protests across the country in late 2025 and early 2026. Slogans expressed discontent among protestors regarding a national identity they believed to be under threat from “anti-Australian” actors. Most recently, anti-immigration protests swept through Belfast following a knife attack, resulting in an assault on immigrant communities, including within religious spaces. In the previous year, England experienced a wave of anti-immigration protests similar to Australia, the United States, and other Western countries that have historically served as primary migrant destinations.

Underlying all of these movements is a collective fear that national values are being eroded by migrant populations diversity, and the belief that immigrants are taking away not only jobs and social resources, but the very facet of national identity. It is, therefore, important to hold these claims and fears to account, to understand what role migrants really play in host countries.

Migration: Fact-Checked

By the end of 2024, 3.7% of the world’s population resided in countries different from their country of origin. The percentage of global international migrants has not increased significantly since 2020, and the share of female migrants also remains relatively stable at 48% up to 2024. Up to 41.6 million individuals were reported as refugees by the end of 2025, the large majority originating from 6 war-affected countries.

Europe and North America continue to host nearly 51% of the world’s immigrant population, being desirable destinations due to the high quality of life and better infrastructure. The United States, in particular, bears nearly 17.2% of the global migrant population. First-generation migrants account for a significantly lower percentage, followed by Germany, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, and France. Interestingly, the largest share of global international migrants also comes from Europe and North America. They account for 21.6% of the global migrant population, followed by Central and Southern Asia (17.7%), and Latin America and the Caribbean (15.9%).

Migrant workers account for 4.7% of the total global population, with about 168 million migrant workers worldwide.. Remittances, money sent back to relatives in countries of origin by migrant workers, amounted to 905 billion USD in 2024, a substantial increase of 4.5% since 2023. The United Nations estimates that remittances influence the lives of one in seven people globally. This promotes sustainable development, and may, in certain cases, supplement or entirely replace foreign aid, by alleviating poverty through improved per capita income, improving the standard of living, and contributing to growth and debt stability in the receiving country, as well as fostering greater investment in the education and health sectors. While remittances alone cannot promote sustainable development in the long-run as they are meant for private consumption rather than structural investment, and carry limited positive effect without supporting economic policies, their contributing power cannot be ignored. Even then, concern among host countries highlights fears of bearing migrant costs, while their earnings are “drained out” of the country. Experts, however, suggest that only 15% of a migrant’s income leaves the host country as remittance. The remaining is reinvested into the host economy, and can help countries achieve up to 7 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which aim to attain positive health, education and equality outcomes globally, including reduced poverty and hunger, improved well-being, sanitation, education, and economic growth, and reduced inequalities. Migrants make significant economic contributions to this end, for example, in the form of nearly $100 billion in tax revenue generated from undocumented migrants alone in 2022 in the United States.

A Two-Way Street

Research indicates that immigrant inflow may lead to positive labour market outcomes, including an increase in employment and reduced long-term unemployment. Most significantly, migration has been shown to lead to increases in per capita GDP in the long run. Given the often higher immigration education requirements regarding degrees obtained and experiences, host countries often enjoy an improved educational background of their labour force when migrant backgrounds are included. Since 2017, the education profile of migrants, both foreign born and EU-born, has increased steadily, with university graduates accounting for 32.1% and 35.2% of migrants respectively in 2025, closing the gap between 36.8% of native-born EU graduates in 2025. Similarly, in a 2022 survey, 35% of immigrant adults held college degrees, on par with 36% of US-born adults.

These statistics are relevant across contexts. European labour markets face significant challenges in the coming years due to an ageing population, with a consistent increase in median age across the continent since 2015. In the United States, the net labour force growth has been almost entirely driven by immigrant inflows and foreign-born workers since 2008, with no distinction between skill levels or legal status. For lower skilled and undocumented immigrants, their major economic contribution is still significant and comes in the form of taxes , which then supports critical social services for all American citizens, including social security and Medicaid. ageing populations through social security benefits, with migrants in some cases costing less than native-borns, and making net positive contributions to social security (paying more in taxes than they receive in benefits).

Assimilation: Systems and Theories

Sociological research has long attempted to establish the theoretical basis for the process of and perceived need for assimilation among migrant communities in host countries. These range from highlighting the necessity and benefits of integration for migrant success in host communities, to understanding how migrant diversity, including identities and culture, may be lost in the process, and what that may mean for host cultures.

Classic Assimilation Theory

In the 1920s, the Chicago School of Sociology popularized what is also known as the straight-line assimilation theory. It categorized the assimilation process as a unidirectional adoption of host culture, a process considered necessary to maintain social cohesion and allow for the upward mobility of migrant communities. The theory, originally built on the American model of integration by European settlers, sees immigrants adopting the local culture over time, suggesting the longer an immigrant has been part of the culture, the more similar to their host country’s culture they will become.

Racial Ethnic Disadvantage Model

The model highlights what may be considered a significant limitation of classical assimilation. This theory posits that even with language acquisition and cultural knowledge, assimilation may not occur. Institutional barriers in accessing work or educational opportunities may prevent or significantly prolong this process, especially as these social barriers, combined with prevalent social stigmas become more obvious to the second or third migrant generations. First-generation migrants often fail to perceive these obstacles, as they often face far more difficulty in accessing resources in their home countries. The resulting sociocultural consequences of this exclusion may lead to racial/ethnic (re)emergence, preventing assimilation from occurring.

Segmented Assimilation

Noting assimilation processes that prolong into several migrant generations, theorists concluded that the integration process may not always be as straightforward as the classical theory suggests. Instead, structural barriers, such as poor educational opportunities and lack of access to employment and other social resources, may stagnate the assimilation process or may even reverse the process. Segmented assimilation may occur when some members of disadvantaged groups outright reject assimilation, opting rather for oppositional membership and engaging in behaviors incompatible with the host culture. Others may choose a path of selective assimilation, imbibing many elements of the host culture, while retaining traditional values.

Measuring Assimilation

These theoretical bases have been used to develop investigations into assimilation, although as yet no singular objective criteria exists to map an individual or group’s assimilation rate. However, common predictors include education and employment outcomes, psychological well-being, language fluency, and intercultural marriage. Other investigative attempts have also tried to establish upward social mobility (measured in terms of class, ethnicity, education, or family structures), along with attitudinal and behavioral integration of the host culture.

Immigration and assimilation are both complex topics, and cannot necessarily be boxed by simple economic or social indicators. However, they do paint an indicative picture of the role migrants play in host societies.

Economic assimilation

Measured in terms of earnings and earnings gap reduction between migrants and native-born citizens, economic assimilation attempts to map migrant income as an indicator of successful integration. Measured in the context of the number of years since migration, accelerated assimilation is observed in migrants with higher levels of education, with improving earning trajectories over 10 and 20-year periods. Earning differences are lowest when compared between migrant and native groups of the same ethnoracial identity. Some research suggests that permanent migrants (compared to migrants who leave host countries within 10 years) may reach the same earning potential as those who are native-born within 10 years of migration.

Sociocultural assimilation

Social migrant assimilation is defined by migrant participation in society, measured through socialisation, civic participation, and sense of belonging. Analysis across various regional contexts shows that long-term migrants integrate better into host society, converging with local standards, compared to shorter-term migrants who tend to socialize less. Additionally, educational background tends to predict a greater sense of belonging with the broader community rather than close social circles. When measured in terms of satisfaction, language proficiency, and ethnic enclave, sociocultural assimilation is associated with higher employment and wage rates for migrants, as well as job satisfaction and security. Social assimilation, therefore, may predict economic success for migrants, particularly during periods of economic growth.

Identity assimilation

In a similar vein, identifying with the host country and culture is often regarded as one of the strongest predictors of assimilation. Following the classical assimilation theory, researchers find that identification with the host country only increases with subsequent generations, and is strongly measured as early as the second generation. Concurrent with identity, immigrants’ civic participation is also strongly influenced by the host culture, and most migrants tend to respond positively to integration efforts in host cultures.

It is important to note that some of the most significant barriers to integration and assimilation come from ethnic and racial differences between migrant and host communities, as discrimination from native citizens’ is highlighted as the single greatest barrier faced by migrants, as well as their disadvantaged backgrounds, resulting in fewer educational or employment opportunities. However, when given the same resources and opportunities, migrants offer significant support to their host communities in various contexts.

Migrant Contributions

With assimilation, migrants make increasing contributions to their host society. High-income countries in particular reap higher rewards from inward migration.

Sociocultural Contributions

Diversity of language, cuisine, art, and sports is often considered a transcendence of ethnic and racial differences that may otherwise divide local and migrant populations.

Civic contributions

Depending on the political framework of host countries, migrants may actively participate in host societies through community, state, or federal political participation and volunteer work. 16% of the American members of Congress are first- or second-generation migrants. Most significantly, where cohesive migrant integration policies exist, improved tolerance, lower xenophobia, and greater pro-democratic governance are reinforced.

Economic contributions

Migrants tend to belong to more innovative and entrepreneurial sectors, with higher contributions to start-ups and investment in host countries, as well as taxes. A 1% increase in migrant inflow is estimated to increase native employment by 0.2%. In the United States alone, over the last 30 years, immigrants have produced roughly $100,000 more in taxes per capita than the average native citizen. Further research suggests that migrant inflows boost aggregate income over the long-run, with increasing employment ratios, labour productivity, and capital accumulation.

The Verdict

The surge in anti-immigrant sentiment across Western nations in recent years highlights a critical disconnect between political narrative and empirical reality. A deeper analysis of the impact migrants have on their host communities reveals a more nuanced picture than often believed.

Far from being a one-sided burden, migration functions as a "two-way street" that yields significant economic and social benefits to receiving and sending countries, communities, and the migrants themselves. However, to effectively address the anxieties underlying current anti-immigrant movements, public discourse must address migration as a complex but largely beneficial exchange. This will help reconcile the tension between preserving national identity and embracing the realities of a globalized world. Ultimately, understanding the true role of migrants is essential for crafting inclusive policies that balance social cohesion with economic sustainability.

Glossary

Aggregate Income: The total income earned by all individuals or households within a specific economy over a period of time
Assimilation: The process of becoming part of a larger group or culture by adopting its customs and values.
Behavioral Integration: The extent to which an individual adopts the habits, routines, and social behaviors typical of the host society.
Capital Accumulation: The increase in the stock of physical or financial assets available for production within an economy.
Civic Participation: The involvement of individuals in community life and political processes, such as voting or volunteering.
Debt Stability: The condition where a debtor’s ability to meet financial obligations remains secure and manageable over time.
Economic Sustainability: The ability of an economic system to maintain performance and resource availability for future generations.
Foreign Aid: Financial or material assistance provided by one country or organization to another
Host Country: The nation that receives immigrants or international visitors from other countries
Immigrant (Migrant): A person who moves to a foreign country to settle permanently or temporarily
Institutional Barriers: Formal rules, laws, or organizational structures that restrict opportunities for certain groups
Integration: The process of individuals or groups blending into a larger society or system
National Identity: The sense of belonging to a state or nation, characterized by shared culture, history, and values
Per capita income: The average income generated per person in a given area in a specified year
Psychological Well-being: A state of mental health characterized by positive emotions and life satisfaction
Refugee: A person who has been forced to leave their country to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster
Remittances: Money sent by a worker to a family member in their home country
Social Mobility: The movement of individuals or groups between different social or economic positions
Social Resources: The assets, networks, and institutions available within a society to support individual or collective well-being
Standard of Living: The level of wealth, comfort, material goods, and necessities available to a person or community
Structural Barriers: Systemic features of social or economic systems that limit progress for certain groups
Sustainable Development: Development that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs
Unidirectional: Moving in one direction

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