1. Aija Lulle, University of Sussex and University of Eastern Finland
Migration and competitiveness: maximizing opportunities for states, regions, businesses and individuals
Aija Lulle, University of Sussex and University of Eastern Finland
PROVIDUS Public Policy Forum
Migration Policies: Competing for Talent
4 December 2017

2. National dimension Dominant ideas and representations about migration
Competitiveness: aspirations and capabilities to create environments to perform better than others or elsewhere of a comparable nature
‘Policy failure can mean different things, so I proposed as a working definition that “policy failure may be said to occur when a policy does not achieve its stated objectives”. When politicians and officials are reluctant to declare their true objectives, we need to look for the hidden agendas they may be pursuing’. (Stephen Castles 2017)

3. National dimension: some paradoxes
‘Competitiveness’ and a ‘nation-state’
Unique
Territory
Democracy
National values
Language
Nation branding
Global Competitiveness Index Latvia 54th/137
/countryeconomy-profiles/#economy=LVA
Source: Dona.lv

4. Regional dimension European Union Baltic-Nordic region
Baltic Sea region etc
‘What do you think are the two most important issues facing the EU at the moment?’ (% data)
Concerns
Autumn 2014
Spring 2015
Autumn 2017 *LV
Immigration 24 38
45 * 57
Economic situation 33 27
20 *17
Unemployment 29
16 *10
Source: Eurobarometer.

5. Entrepreneurial dimension
Labour is the key to competitiveness
Examples: IT, hospitality and construction
Forecast change in working-age population (age 15–64) in selected EU countries, 2010 – 50 (millions)
Country
2010
2030
2050
% change 2010–50
France
42.0
41.8
41.9
–0.2
Germany
53.9
46.3
39.4
–26.9
Poland
27.2
24.0
19.8
–27.2
Sweden
6.1
6.3
6.6
+8.2
Source: After Groenewold and de Beer (2014: 5), with corrections.

6. Individual dimension
Mobility as a key strategy for mediating significant lifecourse transitions:
education, work, establishing home
Source: ieg.worldbankgroup.org
Source: Smallbusiness.chron.com

7. Conclusion
‘Migration policies are intrinsically problematic, because they are concerned with defining people as migrants, differentiating them into bureaucratic categories and regulating their movements and work. Migration policies do not address the fundamental inequalities in livelihoods, human security and opportunities for realizing individual potential.’ (Stephen Castles)
Four dimensions of ‘competitiveness’ are interlinked
Competitiveness as a heuristic tool for future policies