Language proficiency and homeownership: Evidence from U.S. immigrants

Marc-André Luik, Max Steinhardt () and Simon Voss

No 2023/3, Discussion Papers from Free University Berlin, School of Business & Economics

Abstract: In this paper we deliver first causal evidence on the relationship between immigrant host country language proficiency and homeownership. Using an instrumental variable strategy, we find a substantial positive impact of language skills on the propensity to own a home and the quality of housing. While this effect is mediated by education and household income, our estimates also speak in favor of a direct effect. Our results highlight the importance of host-country-specific human capital and, in particular, language proficiency for socio-economic assimilation.

Keywords: language; immigrants; assimilation; homeownership (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J11 J13 J61 R21 Z13 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-int, nep-mig and nep-ure
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:zbw:fubsbe:20233

DOI: 10.17169/refubium-38193

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