Immigrations: Between Denial and Reality

In most Western democracies, immigration is a major electoral issue that varies according to the political spectrum: rejection, control, integration or acceptance. Faced with these divisions, it is illusory to imagine that the objective presentation and reasoned analysis of migration can de-passionate the debate, reconcile positions or, even less, make a side triumph. On the other hand, it can help eliminate untruths that pollute and undermine democratic debate. This session will address two main themes. It will discuss the extent of the migratory phenomenon, which has become the primary component of the demographic dynamics of rich countries, and the possible mismatch with the perception that populations may have of it. It will then analyse the consequences of immigration on societies in destination countries. The effects on public finances, unemployment and more generally on people’s standard of living will be examined in particular. The lack of consensus among experts should not be interpreted as a low relevance of their comments but rather as a contribution to a fair and serene debate.