Integration of migrant women in Luxembourg: policies and measures

This study provides an overview of the current policies and measures in Luxembourg regarding the integration of third-country national migrant women.

Luxembourg follows a mainstream approach regarding integration. According to the Law of 16 December 2008 on the integration of foreigners in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, integration is a two-way process that includes both the foreigner and the Luxembourgish society, thereby aiming at all non-Luxembourgish nationals (EU citizens and third-country nationals alike), independent of their gender. However, both national and EU funds may finance measures to support the integration of third-country national migrant women.

The number of third-country national women in Luxembourg has increased steadily over the last years, representing 8,1% of the total female population in 2020. Most first residence titles issued to third-country national women were based on family reasons. Depending on the reasons for immigration, the most common countries of origin were India, the U.S.A., and China (to pursue remunerated activities), as well as Syria, Eritrea, the Philippines (for ‘other’ reasons, which includes, among others, beneficiaries of international protection), and Brazil (for family reasons).

While third-country national women in Luxembourg comprise a diverse population, occupying jobs in both high-skilled and low-skilled employment sectors, they experience several challenges. Despite higher levels of education, they are more exposed to overcrowded housing, lower household income, lower activity rates, and higher unemployment rates than Luxembourgish women. Moreover, third-country national women are less often enrolled on electoral lists for municipal elections than female EU foreigners. Finally, the issue of discrimination towards (female) residents of African descent in Luxembourg has generated debates in recent years.

The study also presents three projects specifically addressing third-country national women, which have been identified as examples of good practices in the context of integration of migrant women, namely ‘Le Temps des Femmes’ by Caritas, ‘Concept d’Intégration, d’Accompagnement et d’Orientation (CIAO!)' by Femmes en Détresse, and ‘Intégration par le Sport’ by the municipality of Esch-sur-Alzette.