ABSTRACT
During the last century, migration has significantly contributed to the economic and social development of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. In 2006, Luxembourg’s total population of 450,000 included 38 per cent foreigners. The overwhelming majority of foreign nationals residing in Luxembourg are citizens of other EU Member States, while only five per cent come from non-EU countries. To a large extent, this is the result of a very effective policy carried out by the authorities and centred on accepting almost only white, Catholic, European immigrants. In effect, given Luxembourg’s ageing population, 1 immigration is considered necessary for the country’s economy. In addition, the active working population includes only 36 per cent of Luxembourgers; 26 per cent of the working population is third-country nationals and the remaining 38 per cent comprises people crossing the border each day from France, Belgium and Germany. Immigration is thus a triple challenge. While immigration is necessary for economic growth and demographic survival, it creates an important democratic deficit and, hence, a political challenge for the country.
