Surprising Study: Migrants in Europe Are Often More Educated Than Locals

Surprising Study: Migrants in Europe Are Often More Educated Than Locals
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A new study reveals that education levels among migrants in European Union countries have increased significantly, although disparities remain between individual nations.

The research, conducted by the Rockwool Foundation Berlin, found that the share of adult migrants from outside the EU holding a university degree or equivalent rose from 26% in 2017 to 32.6% last year. The study did not differentiate between those who completed their education before migrating or after arriving in Europe.

This trend mirrors the broader rise in higher education among EU citizens, whose share of university-educated adults grew from 30.3% in 2017 to 37.7% in 2025.

The findings emerge amid heightened political sensitivity around migration in the EU, which is planning reforms to reduce inflows, even as many member states face severe shortages of skilled labor. Countries like Germany are actively seeking to attract global talent to counter population declines and support economic needs.

The study also highlights sharp differences between EU countries regarding migrant education levels. In nations such as Luxembourg, Denmark, Latvia, and the Czech Republic, university-educated migrants are more numerous, proportionally, than local citizens.

These results underline both the potential contribution of highly educated migrants to the European workforce and the complexities of migration policy in addressing labor shortages while managing public sentiment.