Overview of national reception system 2025
La Cimade published an overview of reception and accommodation facilities for asylum seekers and refugees in France in 2025.
The publication gives an indication – via maps and statistics – of the situation in the reception centres for asylum seekers (CADA), the emergency accommodation system for asylum seekers (HUDA), the reception and accommodation programme for asylum seekers (PRAHDA), the reception and situation study centers (CAES), and the temporary accommodation centre for refugees and beneficiaries of subsidiary protection (‘Centres provisoires d’hébergement’), which is run by the Office français de l’immigration et de l’intégration (OFII).
Guide to inspiring local reception and inclusion practices
The Association Nationale des Villes et Territoires Accueillants (ANVITA) published its annual guide, ‘For a Welcoming France’, presenting the inspiring practices of its members in terms of offering unconditional welcome to newly arrived migrants. This 2025 edition is part of the European Library Bridges project (LiBri), which aims to improve the inclusion and reception of migrants through the work of libraries. It pays particular attention to sharing the welcoming practices of municipal libraries and – in light of the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games – the ways in which local authorities are working to ensure that everyone has access to physical exercise and sport.
Initiatives to tackle discrimination in recruitment
Numerous studies highlight the existence of discrimination linked to national origin when it comes to accessing the labour market in France, particularly for young people. To combat this, the experimental fund for young people (‘Fonds d’expérimentation pour la jeunesse’), run by the national institute for youth and popular education, financed and evaluated two initiatives to raise awareness of discrimination among recruiters. The evaluation examines the impact of these initiatives on participating companies five months after taking part, and offers observations on ways in which outcomes could be strengthened.
Immigrant population continues to grow and diversify
New statistics published by Insee (‘L’Institut national de la statistique et des études économiques) show that 347 000 immigrants arrived in France in 2023; much higher than the number that arrived in 2006 (234 000). The statistics show that the origins of these new arrivals have diversified: in 2006, Europe was the continent of birth for 44% of new immigrants to France, compared to 28% in 2023. Africa was the leading continent of origin in 2023, representing 45% of immigrant entries into France.
New arrivals are also shown to be increasingly qualified: 52% of immigrants who entered the country in 2023 and were aged 25 or over held higher education qualifications, compared to 41% in 2006. The proportion of immigrants in employment shortly after their arrival in France is much higher for men than for women: among those who arrived in France in 2023, 41% of men and 28% of women were employed at the beginning of the year following their arrival.
Publications on anti-discrimination and xenophobia
The Interior Ministry of France published an overview of racist, xenophobic and anti-religious incidents recorded in France in 2024. According to the figures, 9 700 crimes or offences were committed on the grounds of ethnicity, nationality, religion or race, representing an increase of 10% compared with 2023. Foreign nationals were found to be particularly affected: they accounted for 16% of victims of ‘racially motivated’ crime recorded by the security services in 2024, with people from countries in Africa being most at risk. Further information and the report is available on the ministry’s website.
Elsewhere, to mark the International Day for Countering Hate Speech, the National Consultative Commission on Human Rights (CNCDH) in France published its 35th annual report on the fight against racism, anti-Semitism and xenophobia.
Report on combating discrimination in the civil service
The Directorate General for Administration and Civil Service (DGAFP) published a report on promotion of diversity and anti-discrimination in the French civil service, presenting recent developments in ensuring equal opportunities and preventing discrimination. It also shares updates on the wealth of initiatives taken by public employers from the three civil service levels in this area.
Discrimination based on origin is widespread in the civil service, as demonstrated by the barometer research of the Défenseur des droits and testing financed by the DGAFP itself. Since 2015, country of origin has been the third most common reason for discrimination complaints lodged by civil servants and received at the headquarters of the Human Rights Defender, behind disability and health.
Report on immigration and integration of people from Afghanistan
The Fondation pour l’innovation politique (Fondapol) published a comprehensive report on the immigration and integration trends of Afghan migrants in France.
In 2024, over 70% of Afghans who submitted an application for international protection in France – 20% of whom were women – were granted refugee or subsidiary protection status. They now represent one of the ten largest national groups holding residence permits in France. Among other key findings, the report observes that 18 months after signing integration contracts (CIRs) and completing the required French courses, 57% of Afghan signatories said they were unemployed. This, according to Fondapol, is largely due to the fact that only half of Afghan learners of French as a foreign language achieve language level A1, corresponding to an elementary level of French. This has a negative impact on their social integration and access to employment. The full report can be viewed online.
New guidebook for refugee employment
The Refugee Employment Guide is a resource for companies wishing to hire people who are refugees. It gives an overview of the situation of refugees in France, including the most common countries of origin, immigration statuses, pathways and academic and professional backgrounds. It also describes the benefits of recruiting people who are refugees and provides answers to questions on the practical and legal aspects of doing so.
The guide additionally provides a list of useful organisations and resources. Its production is the result of collaboration between Tent France (a coalition of 45 major companies working to promote refugee labour market integration), France Terre d’Asile, and the UNHCR.
