Specifics of the migratory processes in the north of Europe (case of the Kingdom of Denmark)

Nowadays the problem of migration is not only one of the major themes of political debate, but also an important issue for the European Union (the EU), which is facing massive waves of illegal migration from the Middle East and Africa, where the military conflicts occur. Nordic countries, which are also the countries of the Arctic region, are not an exception and have to accept a great number of migrants. This makes the studies of migration policies extremely important and relevant as well as the discussions on the effective models of ethno-social policies and management of demographic processes in the Russian Arctic. Currently such a research is being done by the employees and researchers at NArFU named after M.V. Lomonosov who are working on the RNF project N 15-18-00104.

The 21st century migration has taken a global dimension, significantly affecting the global processes and trends of our time. On the one hand, it contributes to labor migration and provides economic and political support to countries that need it. On the other hand, migration exists in illegal forms and has a negative impact on various regions of the world now. Considering the enormity of migration, it is now threatening the national security of European states and their citizens. The article is aimed at determining the characteristics and trends of contemporary migration processes in the Nordic countries on the example of the Kingdom of Denmark.

Theoretical foundations of the study of migration and immigration policy are presented by theoretical implications of T.N. Yudina, who compiled a dictionary of key terms related to migration [1]; L.L. Rybakovskii, who studied the theoretical aspects of migration [2]; and V.I. Perevedentsev’s studies of migration in historical perspective [3]. Statistical methods in demographic security were studied by N.D. Epstein, EA Egorov and other researchers [4]. Methodological questions of statistical research on demographic security and migration. [4] M.B. Denisenko and A.N Sukhov’s research is devoted to immigration in Russia and Europe [5,6]. The contribution of foreign scientists to the development of the issue of migration is represented by the works of such scholars as P. Pederson and N. Smith, who discussed the integration of foreigners into the labor market in Denmark [7]. M. Tawat explored the cultural dimension of migration policy in Denmark from 1960 to 2006 [8] and M. Jorgensen analyzed the integration policy of Denmark [9]. L. Orgad explored the impact of cultural differences of migrants arriving in Denmark, on its society [10]. In general, it can be concluded that the theme is widely researched, but Northern Europe has not been considered as a carrier of a specific migration patterns before.

Sources of the study presented in this article are mainly statistical, IOM (The International Organization for Migration) documents, as well as periodicals. The study is done with the use of comparative analysis and synthesis.

Migration flows in Northern Europe

The current international migration has clearly expressed trends: globalization of migration flows and a change in the character of migration. The changes we observe now appeared after the establishment of the European Free Trade Association in 1960 and the European Union in 1992 — 1993. Migration flows to European countries increased by a multiple. Migration has become a key component of population change, ethnic and social composition in the Arctic region.

So far, European countries are only slightly inferior to the absolute world leader in the number of migrant workers - the United States.

Examples of countries where migration flow increases every year are the Nordic countries. This region includes the following states: Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland. These countries share a common historical past and they have strong geographical, cultural and political connections. Northern Europe is one of the leading regions in terms of living standards. As an economically developed state, they are characterized by developed industry, economy, social sphere, a high level of participation in public life. Residents of the Northern European region recognized as one of the happiest nations in the world annually. The social and economic attractiveness of countries, high living standards make these areas attractive for migrants. The countries themselves are interested in migrants to a certain degree. It is associated with a reduction in the rate of population growth, a decrease in the proportion of the working population that is generating the problem of manpower shortage. All these factors contribute to the fact that Northern Europe is more and more attractive for migrants.

Migration in Denmark

Migration processes are similar in Northern European countries. Therefore, for a deeper analysis, the authors focus on the situation in one of these countries - the Kingdom of Denmark. Denmark is an economically developed country, attracting immigrants from around the world. According to its ethnic composition, Denmark, like other Nordic countries, is a homogeneous state (Danish people make up 88.4% of the total population) and holds one of the strictest immigration policies in Europe.

The objectives of the immigration policy in Denmark have been reflected in the tightening of the requirements for foreigners and limiting their number, as well as in the acceleration of the integration of migrants living in the Kingdom. The 21st century brought the amendments to the immigration laws of Denmark and they really influenced the tightening of immigration regula-tions2. Thus, a foreign person may be permanently expelled for any offense, regardless of whether he or she has a residence permanent or property in the country. If a migrant has lived in the country for less than 9 years, he or she may be deported because of committing a crime which punishment is assumed six months or more in prison. In the case where a migrant has lived in the country for more than 9 years, he or she may be expelled from the country because of a serious crime related to drugs or violence. This law also applies to EU citizens. The population of the Nordic countries is small and the rigid migration policies of governments there look quite reasonable.

An analysis of the indicators of migration is important in order to understand the impact that migration has on the life of the host countries, as well as to indicate the trends and consequences of territorial displacement in the future. On the 1st of January 2015 Denmark's population was 5 633 782 people. It increased compared to the 1st of January 2001 by 274 999 people. The total growth of the Danish population fluctuated from 0.36% as of January 1, 2001; 0.59% as of 1 January 2008 to 0.25% on January 1, 2015 3.

The upward trend is caused by a minimum of natural increase (the number of births exceeds the number of deaths) and by the emerging migration balance, when the number of immigrants is more than the number of people who emigrated from Denmark. In 2014 natural population growth amounted to 562 people in Denmark and the migratory population growth — 13 543 people. On the 1^st of January 2015 the number of migrants and their descendants amounted to approximately 11.6% of the total population, while, for example, in Germany, this category of the population had more than 20%. Immigrants of European origin in Denmark are about 53% of the total population⁴ . In 2015, the daily migration growth in Denmark was projected to an average of 37 people a day (in Finland — 9 people, 43 — in Sweden, 24 — in Norway), while in Germany the figure is 118 people and in France — 267 people⁵.

Currently, Denmark has faced a problem with immigrants from those countries which have strong cultural differences from the Danes. One of the reasons, why people change their place of residence, is labor and forced migration, when people move from the zone of armed conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa. Foreigners come to Denmark in search of a peaceful life, better jobs and higher wages. Government adopts anti-migration measures to reduce the inflow of certain categories of foreigners, primarily immigrants from Muslim countries. At the beginning of 2015 the number of people seeking asylum in Denmark was 3 359 people. Most of the refugees arrived in Denmark from Syria (1 720 people), Somalia (126 people), Iran (63 people), Russia (56 people) and Afghanistan (55 people). In 2014 2 070 people arrived to Denmark for a family reunion reasons6.

At a time when the EU holds back the onslaught of powerful migration waves, comparable to the times after the World War II, Denmark announced that it did not intend to join the common European policy on migrants and did not support the idea of quotas for asylum-seekers. In contrast, Denmark tightens immigration laws and reduces benefits for refugees, as it was said in the Lebanese newspapers’ paid advertisements. For example, among 300 refugees from Syria and Iraq, arrived in Denmark from Germany only 100 people had applied for asylum in September 2015, and the rest went on to Finland and Sweden7.

In general it can be noted that currently in Denmark there is a lack of qualified professionals. This led to the fact that in 2014 the unemployment rate was about 6%. “The Copenhagen Post” noted that Denmark was paying benefits for too many Danes and so they did not want to do “black” work. They do not want to be in low-paid jobs and be engaged in a low-skilled labor. Such work, in the opinion of citizens, should be done by foreigners.

About 80% of jobs in the restaurant and hospitality industries are occupies by immigrants. Approximately the same number of seats is occupied by foreigners in the service (food service, registration and etc.). About 30% of foreign people are working in the cleaning sector and kindergartens. During the growth of welfare Danes could choose better positions8. This left the other jobs for migrants. According to the Danish Agency on support of labor and international recruitment, in 2014 there was a shortage of qualified specialists in the following areas: engineering, medicine, IT and telecommunications, construction, education and social services. Therefore, migrants who apply for positions in these areas were provided with a work permit faster than in other cases9. For some position there must be authorization, means that it is necessary to get a confirmation that a particular profession is really in demand in Denmark. However, despite the fact that most Danes speak English, the Government requires knowledge of the Danish language for migrants. It argues that improving the knowledge of Danish is necessary for migrants from nonWestern countries and means their first step towards independence10.

Unambiguous is people's attitude towards migrants in Denmark. Older people treat them dismissively because they believe that migrants do not want to learn the Danish language and are not interested in Danish history, traditions and culture. The younger generation is largely neutral to foreigners. However, many Danes are closed and reluctant to communicate with migrants. The main thing for them is family and personal life. To a large extent the negative attitude Danish citizens have for Muslim migrants. They often condemn voluntary manners of Danes. The Danes themselves are a “free society” that does not like Muslims. A large number of government spending goes to the payment of various allowances to foreigners from Muslim countries. Many migrants do not want to work and take into account the traditions of the North of the country and the level of crimes committed by them is constantly growing. The consequences are constant conflicts between the local population and Muslims.

In Denmark, the problem of illegal migration is not felt so keenly as in many of the Western European states. According to the police, the country has 20 - 50 thousand illegal migrants, representing about 5% of the total number of migrants 11. This is due to the fact that Denmark has strict laws and immigration policy. Since 2002 they canceled status of “refugee de facto” and asylum in Denmark could be granted only for those who meet the criteria of the 1951 Geneva Convention. For those who already have the status of refugees, the demands are high. If the Danish Immigration Service makes a positive decision, the foreigner needs to undergo a program of integration which has been prepared by the local authorities. Among the measures aimed at the adaptation of migrants are: Danish language training; employment of immigrants and refugees; raising the level of education through training at the workplace; increased activity of immigrants in the political and cultural life of the country. At the same time, immigrants with a permanent residence permit have limited political rights, for example, they cannot participate in elections. If a person with refugee status has lived in Denmark for seven years and passed the exam on knowledge of the Danish language, passed an integration program and has no criminal records, he or she can apply for a permanent residence permit [5].

Forced migrants can be deported from Denmark if they visited the country of release. Also, you can lose refugee status if the situation in the country of release turned out to be normal. Former Minister for Refugees, Immigration and Integration Affairs Birthe Rennes Hornbeck noted that the measures would help to reduce the influx of migrants in order to direct all efforts on the integration of those who had already been living in the country 12.

Migration policy of Denmark differs from the one of other Nordic countries. Finland, Sweden and Norway are pursuing a policy of multiculturalism, preserving cultural differences. Den- mark does not support such a policy. As noted above, the flow of immigrants from non-Western countries has increased significantly in the Kingdom. As a rule, their cultural characteristics, traditions and behavior are different from the standards established by the Danish society. However, the Kingdom continues to be one-nation state with domination of one culture. Therefore, the attitude of Danes to immigrants from non-Western countries is quite negative.

Features of migratory flows in Northern Europe

Migration processes in northern Europe have their own characteristics that differentiate them from other regions in Europe. First , in Western and Southern Europe, it is particularly acute at the moment that there is the problem with migrants from Africa and the Middle East: Syria, Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan and Pakistan that pass via the Mediterranean Sea. Getting on the European continent, they mostly settle in the countries of the region, primarily in the richest and most “welcoming” countries in Europe — Germany and France. However, at the moment, when Europe is in a severe situation of “migration crisis”, the situation is different. The flow of migrants is so great that the Northern European countries also feel it. The migrants are trying to get to Sweden and then to Finland through Denmark and Oresund Bridge bypassing European laws¹³. Most likely, this situation is temporary and it won’t influence the overall dynamics of migration flows in the north of Europe in the longer term perspective.

Second , in Northern Europe the migration processes occur between the countries of the region: Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland. Migrants from other European regions are trying to move to other parts of the world.

Third , the migration policies of the Nordic countries are different from the policies in the rest of Europe. Denmark has the strictest immigration policies in Europe, aimed at reducing migration flows into the country, which is, in general, common for the other Nordic countries. The Government of Norway, for example, in the autumn 2015 made a decision not to accept Syrian refugees arriving from Russia. Since the beginning of 2015 about 1200 Syrian citizens have arrived to Norway via border with Russia. In 2014 there were not more than a dozen ¹⁴.

Conclusion

Thus, considering the features discussed above, one can conclude that a specific model of migration processes exists in the region and it is characterized by relatively low share of migrants from non-European countries, strict immigration laws and the movement of citizens within the

Nordic region. Currently, the migration situation in the countries of the Arctic region is complicated. On the one hand, it is so due to the objective processes of globalization. On the other, it is caused by the modern international political situation. Migration flows affect the relationship between the hosting nation and other ethnic groups.

In this context, it is important to study the influence of migration processes on the ethnocultural and economic situation in the Arctic countries, including in Russia, as its regions have an extensive network of transnational and cross-border connections. Studying the experience of Denmark and the implementation of the migration policy could be used by the Russian authorities, primarily in case of labor migration and reducing the number of foreign citizens engaged in unskilled or illegal work.