The groups covered by the UK statistics shown here are:
“Refugees who were granted asylum in the period 2015 to 2023, Refugees who were resettled into the UK under the Vulnerable Persons, Resettlement Scheme (VPRS) and Vulnerable Children’s Resettlement Scheme (VCRS), Refugees who were resettled to the UK under the UK Resettlement Scheme (UKRS) and small numbers of refugees who were resettled to the UK under the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) Pathway 2”
Almost a quarter (24%) of refugees aged 16 to 64 years who were granted refugee status between 2015 and 2023 found employment in the first year in which they arrived in the UK (0 years after arrival). The rate of employment reached around 45% after 2 years and then increased more slowly to 48% for those who had refugee status for 8 years.”
At this point it seems to level off completely, implying that the level attained has now become permanent. If you haven’t worked for eight years, your chances of finding a job are slim
“The wider UK employment rate for those aged 16 to 64 years given by the ONS Labour Market Statistics Time Series was between 73% and 74% over this period. Of regular migrants that come to live in England and Wales, 78% of those born in the EU and 65% of those born in non-EU countries were in employment in 2023 according to ONS Migration and the labour market, England and Wales.”
A seen below different nationalities vary in their ability to hold on to work
Germany/EU
Interestingly the EU countries maintain their own lists of designated ‘safe’ countries, place from where asylum applications won’t be accepted:
The German experience from 2015
“The recent IAB study, around 64 percent of refugees who arrived in 2015 were employed by the end of 2024, compared to 70 percent in the general population. Roughly 90 percent of them held jobs subject to social insurance contributions, and most worked full-time. Herbert Brücker, head of research at IAB, noted that this fast pace of integration “is by no means self-evident given the initially unfavorable starting conditions.”
However, the IAB highlights that gender disparities remain stark: 76 percent of men are employed, compared to only 35 percent of women. The study identifies childcare burdens, lower educational attainment, and limited access to language courses as key obstacles. IAB researcher Yuliya Kosyakova noted: “The labor market integration of refugees who arrived since 2015 is progressing somewhat faster than in previous flight movements. Seven years after arrival, 63 percent were employed — a clear integration success that reflects the combined efforts of government, employers, and the refugees themselves.
At the same time, women’s participation remains significantly lower, with longterm potential still untapped.” Earnings among refugees have risen steadily, though they remain below average. Median monthly wages for full-time refugee workers increased from 1,398 euros in 2016 to 2,675 euros in 2023 — about 71 percent of the national median and just above the low-wage threshold. Welfare dependence has declined: only 34 percent of working-age refugees from 2015 still relied on benefits in 2023, compared with nearly all in the early years.”
2024 Figures
