Migration and Development: Bosnians in Switzerland Didier Ruedin, - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Migration and Development: Bosnians in Switzerland Didier Ruedin, University of Neuchâtel, Switzerland Joint Workshop: BiH Diaspora and Development , Sarajevo, 3 rd July 2013

Diaspora

Migration and Development • Agents for development – Remittances – Experience and Skills – Direct investment – Business • Individual freedom

Diaspora Engagement • Identify goals and capacities • Know your diaspora • Build trust • Mobilize stakeholders Source: Newland, E. (ed.) (2000) Diasporas: New Partners in Global Development Policy, Migration Policy Institute

Switzerland • 3 waves – Labour migration: short-term (1960s) – Economic migration: escape (1980s) – War refugees (1990s) – Family reunion (now) • N ≈ 52,000 (36,000 BiH citizens) Source: Word Bank; BFS STAT-POP

Foreign Population, SE Europe 6% 4% 2% 0% BiH Croatia Kosovo Macedonia Serbia Montenegro Albania Slovenia Source: BFS STAT-POP, Data as of 2010; permanent resident population; percentage of total foreign population in Switzerland

Residence in Switzerland: BiH 20000 10000 0 Since birth 0-1 years 2-5 years 6-10 years 10 + years Source: BFS STAT-POP, Data as of 2011; population = BiH citizens resident in Switzerland

Age Distribution 100+ 90-94 80-84 70-74 60-64 male 50-54 female 40-44 30-34 20-24 10-14 0-4 2000 1500 1000 500 0 500 1000 1500 2000 Source: BFS STAT-POP, Data as of 2010; population = permanent resident population; BiH citizens

Naturalization • Relatively high rates • Successful integration of 2 nd generation – A “natural” step • Security • Previously: travel (visa) • Filling a void? (post-Yugoslavia) Source: BFS; interviews

Principal Language Spoken ½ ½ Swiss language Language of BiH • Second generation Source: BFS Census (RS), 2010; population = BiH citizens resident in Switzerland

Work • Concentration in low-skilled work – Earlier migration (1960s, 1980s) – Interrupted education • Fewer active in labour market • Unemployment: 7% – 3% CH, 8% foreigners Source: BFS Census (RS), 2010; population = BiH citizens resident in Switzerland

Diaspora Organizations • Many diasporas • Few cross-ethnic • No systematic approach to development • Highly qualified: most interest Source: interviews; own elaboration

Migration and Development • Integration in Switzerland • Not centrally organized – Difficult to mobilize – Ethnic divisions • Work ethic, corruption, political deadlock • Strong attachment to BiH • Skills, but long-term?