Individual attitudes towards skilled migration: an empirical analysis across countries

Anna Maria Mayda and Giovanni Facchini

No 7592, CEPR Discussion Papers from C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers

Abstract: It is commonly argued that skilled immigration benefits the destination country through several channels. Yet, only a small group of countries reports to have policies in place aimed at increasing the intake of skilled immigrants. Why? In this paper we analyze the factors that affect a direct measure of individual attitudes towards skilled migration, focusing on two main channels: the labor market and the welfare state. We find that more educated natives are less likely to favor skilled immigration - consistent with the labor-market channel - while richer people are more likely to do so - in accordance with the welfare state channel under the tax adjustment model. Our findings thus suggest that the labor market competition threat perceived by skilled natives in the host countries might be driving the observed cautious policies.

Keywords: Skilled immigration; Attitudes; Immigration policy; Political economy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: F22 J61 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2009-12
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-dev, nep-lab, nep-mig and nep-pol
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Related works:
Journal Article: Individual Attitudes Towards Skilled Migration: An Empirical Analysis Across Countries (2012)
Working Paper: Individual Attitudes towards Skilled Migration: an Empirical Analysis across Countries (2009)
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