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Wealth Distributions of Migrant and Australian‐born Households

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  • DENISE DOIRON
  • ROCHELLE GUTTMANN

Abstract

Wealth is an important measure of overall economic well‐being and a crucial factor in migrants’ ability to integrate into their new country. Using data from the 2002 HILDA survey, this study explores the disparity between the wealth distributions of native‐born and foreign‐born households in Australia. Using quantile regressions the results reveal that migrants have significantly less wealth than their Australian‐born counterparts throughout the wealth distribution. This is despite the greater wealth‐generating characteristics of the foreign‐born. The wealth differentials are reduced but still negative for the migrant cohorts who have been in Australia for over 25 years.

Suggested Citation

  • Denise Doiron & Rochelle Guttmann, 2009. "Wealth Distributions of Migrant and Australian‐born Households," The Economic Record, The Economic Society of Australia, vol. 85(268), pages 32-45, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ecorec:v:85:y:2009:i:268:p:32-45
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1475-4932.2008.00527.x
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    4. Ihley, Dorothee & Siebert-Meyerhoff, Andrea, 2016. "The evolution of immigrants' homeownership in Germany," CAWM Discussion Papers 92, University of Münster, Münster Center for Economic Policy (MEP).
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    6. Mosfequs Salehin & Robert Breunig, 2012. "The immigrant wage gap and assimilation in Australia: the impact of unobserved heterogeneity," CEPR Discussion Papers 661, Centre for Economic Policy Research, Research School of Economics, Australian National University.
    7. Robert Breunig & Syed Hasan & Mosfequs Salehin, 2013. "The Immigrant Wage Gap and Assimilation in Australia: Does Unobserved Heterogeneity Matter?," The Economic Record, The Economic Society of Australia, vol. 89(287), pages 490-507, December.
    8. Best, Rohan & Burke, Paul J. & Nepal, Rabindra & Reynolds, Zac, 2021. "Effects of rooftop solar on housing prices in Australia," Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society, vol. 65(03), January.
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