Report No.2- 2007

This study investigates the integration of non-Nordic migrants in the Archipelago of Åland, Finland. A survey is used to investigate the ways in which the Ålandic integration situation is similar to and diverges from the picture offered by Finland overall. The survey covers most immigrant groups in the Ålandic capital of Mariehamn (except for Asians and the unemployed). It is found that immigrants face similar barriers, such as first-gate rejection and “degree inflation”, to labor market integration as they do on mainland Finland. Evidence of an ethnic hierarchy on Åland (similar to the one found on mainland Finland) is also found. Significant differences in the level of reported friendships with native Ålanders are however found.