AIS

The aim of this paper is to discuss possible tools that can be used to measure immigrants’ integration into host societies. The discussion will focus on both the possible uses of such tools and, in particular, the numerous significant issues to be addressed when designing and implementing them. We explore three specific issues: the definition of the concept of integration, the complexity of the concept to be measured and establishing the unit of analysis. The conclusion is that it is impossible to devise a general tool to measure integration. Such a tool must therefore be constructed in relation to the specific purposes it is to be used for.