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Social assimilation and immigrants’ labour market outcomes

Author

Listed:
  • Matloob Piracha

    (University of Kent and GLO)

  • Massimiliano Tani

    (University of New South Wales, IZA and GLO)

  • Zhiming Cheng

    (University of New South Wales and GLO)

  • Ben Zhe Wang

    (Macquarie University)

Abstract

We analyse how immigrants’ level of social assimilation is related to their labour market outcomes. More precisely, we estimate the association between assimilation and employment, wages, underemployment, three measures of job satisfaction, overeducation and wages. Using Australian longitudinal data, we find that assimilation is strongly associated with employment and wages as well as a number of job satisfaction measures. We then split our data and repeat the analysis for before and after the financial crisis of 2008–2009. We find important differences in the way assimilation is associated with different measures of labour market outcomes under different economic conditions. Finally, we explore mechanisms that may underlie the results.

Suggested Citation

  • Matloob Piracha & Massimiliano Tani & Zhiming Cheng & Ben Zhe Wang, 2023. "Social assimilation and immigrants’ labour market outcomes," Journal of Population Economics, Springer;European Society for Population Economics, vol. 36(1), pages 37-67, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jopoec:v:36:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1007_s00148-021-00883-w
    DOI: 10.1007/s00148-021-00883-w
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    2. Cai, Shu & Zimmermann, Klaus F., 2024. "Social identity and labor market outcomes of internal migrant workers," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 163(C).
    3. Amelie F. Constant & Simone Schüller & Klaus F. Zimmermann, 2024. "Ethnic spatial dispersion and immigrant identity," Journal of Chinese Economic and Business Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 22(2), pages 205-230, April.
    4. Randazzo, Teresa & Piracha, Matloob, 2024. "Ethnic identity and educational outcomes," GLO Discussion Paper Series 1387, Global Labor Organization (GLO).

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