The Financial Decisions of Immigrant and Native Households: Evidence from Italy

Graziella Bertocchi (), Marianna Brunetti and Anzelika Zaiceva

No 11979, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: Using rich Italian data for the period 2006-2014, we document sizeable gaps between native and immigrant households with respect to wealth holdings and financial decisions. Immigrant household heads hold less net wealth than native, but only above the median of the wealth distribution, with housing as the main driver. Immigrant status reduces the likelihood of holding risky assets, housing, mortgages, businesses, and valuables, while it increases the likelihood of financial fragility. Years since migration, countries of origin, and the pattern of intermarriage also matter. The Great Recession has worsened the condition of immigrants in terms of wealth holdings, home ownership, and financial fragility.

Keywords: household finance; wealth; financial portfolios; immigrants; Great Recession (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D14 E21 F22 G11 J15 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 36 pages
Date: 2018-11
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-mac and nep-ure
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

Published - substantially revised version published in: Italian Economic Journal, 2023, 9, 117-174

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https://docs.iza.org/dp11979.pdf (application/pdf)

Related works:
Journal Article: The Financial Decisions of Immigrant and Native Households: Evidence from Italy (2023)
Working Paper: The Financial Decisions of Immigrant and Native Households: Evidence from Italy (2020)
Working Paper: The Financial Decisions of Immigrant and Native Households: Evidence from Italy (2020)
Working Paper: The Financial Decisions of Immigrant and Native Households: Evidence from Italy (2018)
Working Paper: The Financial Decisions of Immigrant and Native Households: Evidence from Italy (2018)
Working Paper: The Financial Decisions of Immigrant and Native Households: Evidence from Italy (2018)
Working Paper: The Financial Decisions of Immigrant and Native Households: Evidence from Italy (2018)
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