Trends in Immigration and Economic Consequences

Jonathan Coppel (), Jean-Christophe Dumont and Ignazio Visco

No 284, OECD Economics Department Working Papers from OECD Publishing

Abstract: This paper reviews immigration trends and their economic impacts in a number of OECD countries. While migration systems present similarities across countries, institutional arrangements vary widely and impact on the size and composition of migration flows. Some of the main factors driving immigration are then briefly discussed. The paper also considers the economic, fiscal and social implications of immigration. The study suggests that immigration can confer small net gains to the host country. However, the benefits are not necessarily evenly distributed and some groups, in particular those whose labour is substitutable with immigrants may lose, calling for a smooth working of labour and product markets in OECD countries. The paper also claims that, while migration can partly offset slower growing or declining OECD populations, it cannot provide by itself a solution to the budgetary implications of ageing populations. Finally, the paper touches on some development issues, such as ... Cette étude examine les tendances de l'immigration et leurs consequences économiques dans un certain nombre de pays de l'OCDE. Si les systèmes d’immigration présentent des similitudes dans la plupart les pays, les arrangements institutionnels varient énormément et ont une incidence sur la taille et la composition des flux migratoires. Quelques uns des principaux facteurs expliquant les flux migratoires sont ensuites brièvement passés en revue. L'article considère aussi certaines des implications économiques, budgétaires et sociales de l'immigration. L'immigration peut conférer de légers gains nets au pays hôte. Cependant, les bénéfices ne sont pas nécessairement distribués de manière égale et certains groupes, en particulier ceux dont le travail est substituable à celui des immigrés, peuvent s'avérer perdants. Cela confirme la nécéssité pour les pays de l'OCDE d'avoir des marchés des biens et des produits qui soient les plus souples possible. L'étude indique aussi que, si les flux ...

Keywords: ageing; development; développement; labour markets; marché du travail; migration; vieillissement de la population; émigration (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: F22 J61 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2001-06-18
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (71)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:oec:ecoaaa:284-en

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