How long do sub-Saharan migrants take to settle in France ?

Abstract

Six or seven years after arriving in France, half of sub-Saharan African migrants still do not have all three basic elements of a settled life: a residence permit valid for at least one year, a personal dwelling and an activity that provides enough income to live on. After eleven or twelve years, one-quarter still do not. This long period of insecurity after arrival is due more to the conditions in France (lengthy red tape, segmented labour market, discrimination) than to the migrants’ individual characteristics. The situation of sub-Saharan migrants ultimately stabilizes, but for many only after a long period of insecurity.