Explaining regional differences in adaptation and satisfaction among the immigrant population in Iceland

About the project

The goal of this project is to understand regional differences in the integration and social adaptation of immigrants in the North of Iceland and to understand the mechanisms which impacts immigrants’ integration, satisfaction and feelings of belonging in coastal communities in Iceland. In 2016, we realized a comparative quantitative study within three communities in the North of Iceland in order understand and compare the situation of the immigrants and the reaction of the local population towards them. The result of the study shows that there are differences within the three communities regarding the social and economic situation of immigrants, the attitude and expectations of the local population towards them and their satisfaction and their feelings of belonging. The study revealed that immigrants in Húsavík have fewer opportunities in the labour market, less knowledge of the Icelandic language and display less attachment to the Icelandic community than immigrants in Akureyri or Dalvík. The empirical study, however, does not explain the reasons for it. With this study, we want to build on these findings and to understand better what impacts regional differences amongst the immigrant population in coastal communities in Northern Iceland.

The project is funded by the Icelandic Institute for Regional Development.

Members

Project Investigator: 
Markus Meckl, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Akureyri, Iceland

Research Assistant:
Anna Wotjynska, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Akureyri, Iceland