The Inside of Integration and Acculturation - Migrants' Life-Satisfaction in Europe

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Irena Kogan, Ph.D.
• Subject Area: Empirical Social Research
• Term: from 2014 to 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 251760070

It is planned to analyze what influences the subjective quality of life, defined as satisfaction with life, of migrants in Europe and if countries offer good conditions in this regard for some migrants while offering unfavourable ones for others. In light of the increasing international competition for skilled personnel this project can help to evaluate the attractiveness of immigration countries more precisely. Life satisfaction is modelled at the micro level as the outcome of an evaluation of the direct living conditions by the individuals using a distinct standard of evaluation. This standard of evaluation depends i.e. on individual needs and preferences. Therefore, the life satisfaction of population groups can vary although they face equal living conditions due to varying needs and preferences. The living conditions, in turn, are being influenced by the structural and cultural arrangements of the society: e.g. the economic situation, the welfare state regime or general attitudes towards immigrants. First of all, internationally comparable data will be used and in a second step more detailed analyses will be based on appropriate national data sets.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants