Lokale Kontexte und Soziale Mobilität

LOKOS examines how local residential and living contexts shape the integration trajectories of third-country nationals in Austria. The project focuses on whether and how the first place of residence and regional structures – such as labour market dynamics, degree of urbanisation, infrastructure and existing migrant communities – influence later integration outcomes. Using longitudinal register data from the Austrian Micro Data Center, the project analyses internal mobility, spatial concentration, employment and income trajectories, educational pathways and selected indicators of social integration, including naturalisation and marriage patterns. Based on these data, LOKOS develops a theory-guided classification of Austrian places of residence and links it to quantitative trajectory analyses and econometric modelling. The project aims to generate robust evidence for local and regional integration policy. It also serves as a proof of concept for a long-term register-based integration monitoring system. The findings will support policy-makers, municipalities and integration stakeholders in designing more targeted, differentiated and evidence-based measures for integration.