Czech Republic ranks eighteenth in European Integration Index

The Czech Republic has come joint eighteenth, alongside Hungary, in an EU integration index released on Monday. The index judged 25 EU member states (but not Bulgaria and Romania), alongside Norway, Switzerland and Canada, on how well they catered for and integrated immigrants into their society. The Czech Republic came in with a score slightly below average, gaining 48 points out of 100 overall, with the average being 54. The Czech Republic was identified as lagging behind in two key areas in particular - it was deemed particularly difficult to get a long-term residency permit in the Czech Republic, and the country scored second-worst when it came to protecting immigrants against discrimination. Top of the index was Sweden, with 88 points.