Integration in Daily Life

A study of the experiences of immigrants and Norwegian-born individuals with immigrant parents.

In 2019, the concept of integration in daily life (“everyday integration”) was highlighted as one of four main focus areas in Norway’s integration policy. The aim was to strengthen belonging and trust through increased interaction and more shared arenas between people with and without an immigrant background.

At the same time, the knowledge base in this area has been limited. There are established national surveys, such as the Integration Barometer, which shed light on attitudes to integration from a majority perspective. However, there has been a lack of nationally representative data capturing how immigrants and their children themselves experience issues related to integration in daily life, such as social belonging, discrimination, trust, and participation in various social arenas.

Surveys

Fafo was therefore commissioned by the Norwegian Directorate of Integration and Diversity (IMDi) to develop and conduct national surveys based on the experiences of immigrants and Norwegian-born individuals with immigrant parents. The project began with a pilot study in which we developed and tested indicators suitable for capturing subjective aspects of integration through qualitative focus group interviews and a small survey.

On this basis, Fafo conducted the first nationally representative survey on everyday integration in 2023, with a sample of immigrants, Norwegian-born individuals with immigrant parents, and a control group without an immigrant background. In the fall of 2025, we conduct the second round of the national survey. This will make it possible to analyze changes over time since 2023, as well as to include new topics and target groups. A third round of the survey will be conducted in 2027.

The integration paradox

The findings from the 2023 survey drew attention to what is often referred to as the integration paradox: groups that are successful in education and working life also report high levels of discrimination and lack of acceptance. Fafo received funding for an additional qualitative component that takes an in-depth look at how such experiences are perceived and understood in everyday life. This qualitative study will be conducted in the winter of 2026.

The results of both the qualitative in-depth study and the second survey will be published on fafo.no in 2026, while the results of the third round of surveys will be published in 2028.