Flexible job arrangements such as part-time jobs and self-employment are encouraging more people to migrate across Europe, while short-term contracts may be keeping them in their home countries, a new WeLaR study finds.
The report, “Atypical Work and Intra-EU Mobility Patterns”, which analysed data from 17 EU countries between 2004 and 2019, examined how changes in employment flexibility affect migration flows. It found that when the proportion of part-time or self-employed workers rises in a country relative to a potential migration destination, this is often followed by an increase in outward migration. One possible explanation is that individuals with weaker ties to the labour market, such as part-time or self-employed workers, may find it easier or be more motivated to seek opportunities abroad. Conversely, a relative rise in short fixed-term contracts is associated with lower outward migration, which may indicate their stabilising effect on local labour markets.
“With the EU’s principle of free movement, migration is often expected to reduce labour market imbalances, what economists call external adjustment,” said Stella Zilian, economist at the Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies (wiiw) and co-author of the report. “At the same time, flexible employment is a tool for internal adjustment, allowing national economies to absorb shocks. Our findings show these two mechanisms are closely intertwined.”
The study also explored the opposite direction, how migration impacts labour markets, and found that it can alter the structure of employment in both origin and destination countries. In countries that receive migrants, such as Austria and Germany, there is a lasting increase in the share of part-time employment compared to the sending countries. Meanwhile, sending countries tend to see a temporary rise in the prevalence of short-term contracts compared to the destination countries.
The findings highlight a potential trade-off between internal labour market adjustment, employment flexibility, and external adjustment via migration.
“Policies promoting temporary or flexible work need to account for their impact on mobility,” said Laurène Thil, researcher at HIVA – KU Leuven and study co-author. “This is particularly important during periods of regional labour shortages and skill mismatches.”
Researchers also called for stronger social protection systems for atypical workers, especially in destination countries, and warned against gender-blind policies, as part-time employment is disproportionately held by women in many countries.
“In many EU countries, part-time work is overwhelmingly done by women, especially in Austria and Germany. As the share of part-time jobs rises, it’s critical that policies don’t ignore the gender gap. Otherwise, we risk reinforcing inequalities,” said Stella Zilian.
Stella Zilian and Laurène Thil (2024) Atypical Work and Intra-EU Mobility Patterns (Deliverable D3.3). Leuven: WeLaR project 101061388 – HORIZON.
You can read the paper here.
