Migration is a domain that a state cannot fully control. However, it can control how it responds to it — whether it passively manages it or actively leverages it for the benefit of society and the economy. The key tool is the state integration policy, which should be guided by a clear vision of objectives and means to achieve them. Today, Slovakia lacks such direction. SAO auditors point out the lack of reliable data, institutional coordination, and specific targets, which weakens the country's ability to prepare for demographic shifts and address a long-term labour shortage. If the situation doesn’t improve, Slovakia risks falling further behind other nations. Solutions could include supporting families, increasing birth rates, and also accepting and purposefully integrating foreigners into society — helping to fill labour market gaps and contribute to the pension system.

The country’s integration policy has been guided by multiple strategic documents developed in different periods and contexts, none of which have been updated to reflect current realities. The 2014 document Integration Policy of the Slovak Republic was overseen by the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family, while the Migration Policy 2025 was handled by the Ministry of Interior. Neither ministry had sufficient influence over how other institutions translated strategic documents into concrete actions, limiting their ability to manage implementation and respond to shortcomings. In some cases, responsibilities changed hands or were detached from the original authors, who lost the ability to shape content and direction and served only as formal custodians of the topic. “There is no legislative or programmatic framework assigning a competent authority responsible for integration. Having a single lead authority is crucial, as it can initiate necessary steps, adopt measures, coordinate related policies, and evaluate the success of activities in light of defined goals,” said SAO Vice President Henrieta Crkoňová. A lack of data is also a problem. “Government agencies don’t have interconnected information systems, so there is no reliable and up-to-date data on migrant integration. Without data and indicators, it is impossible to assess whether the measures are effective,” she added.

International experience shows that effective migrant integration can significantly boost economic growth and reduce pressure on public finances. For example, in Canada, one-fifth of economic growth over the past decade is attributed to foreigners’ participation in the labour market. In the UK, each migrant brought in £2,300 more in revenue than they cost. On the other hand, Germany has quantified losses from poor integration at €16 billion. In 2023, the Czech Republic reported higher tax and social contributions (CZK 4.8 billion) from Ukrainian refugees than it spent on their support (CZK 4.4 billion). An analysis commissioned by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in 2024 revealed that Ukrainian refugees contributed 0.7–1.1% to Poland’s GDP in 2023. This impact is expected to grow to 0.9–1.35% long-term as the economy fully adjusts.

Slovakia has not conducted similar analyses demonstrating the positive economic impact of employing Ukrainian refugees, despite adopting strategic documents and implementing partial measures. These were often formal and uncoordinated actions without real impact. As a result, integration often happens only “on paper.” Due to the lack of effective programs for employing and integrating foreigners, Slovakia ranked only 53rd out of 67 countries in the World Talent Ranking, well behind Slovenia, the Czech Republic, and Poland (28th, 30th, and 36th respectively). Compared to selected EU countries, Slovakia also lags significantly in attracting highly skilled workers via the EU Blue Card scheme. Between 2021 and 2023, only 62 individuals used this permit in Slovakia — a number reflecting the country’s unattractive and bureaucratic processes. In contrast, over 15,000 individuals used the Blue Card in Poland, nearly 7,000 in Lithuania, and around 2,000 in Austria and the Czech Republic.

This further underscores the need for an effective integration policy that enables third-country nationals to be attracted and integrated into society. As successive governments have failed to address the need for targeted migration and integration, Slovakia is missing out on one potential source of future prosperity. “If Slovakia is to manage the effects of an ageing population and compete with other countries for talent, it needs an active and functional integration policy. Without it, we risk losing more than just economic growth opportunities,” added SAO Vice President Crkoňová. The SAO recommends that the Parliamentary Committee on Public Administration and Regional Development request the government to revise its integration policy based on an analysis of the current situation and identification of obstacles. The goal is to define long-term objectives, set priority areas, and introduce an effective system of governance and coordination.