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Israel’S Immigration Story: Winners And Losers

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  • Assaf Razin

    (Tel Aviv University)

Abstract

The exodus of Soviet Jews to Israel in the 1990s was a unique event. The immigration wave was distinctive for its large high skilled cohort, its quick integration into the domestic labor market, and its unprecedented election participation rate. The wave of immigration changed the entire economic landscape: It raised productivity, underpinned by the information technology surge, and had a significant impact on income inequality. The extraordinary experience of Israel, which absorbed three-quarters of a million immigrants from the Former Soviet Union within a short time, is also relevant for the current debate about winners and losers from immigration. This paper provides evidence and a rigorous political-economy explanation for a potential link between the immigration wave and the markedly changed level of redistribution in Israel’s welfare state.

Suggested Citation

  • Assaf Razin, 2018. "Israel’S Immigration Story: Winners And Losers," Israel Economic Review, Bank of Israel, vol. 15(1), pages 73-106.
    • Handle: RePEc:boi:isrerv:v:15:y:2018:i:1:p:73-106
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    Cited by:

    1. Razin, Assaf & Schwemmer, Alexander, 2020. "Ageing-Driven Migration and Redistribution: Comparing Policy Regimes," CEPR Discussion Papers 14574, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • F2 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business
    • F6 - International Economics - - Economic Impacts of Globalization
    • H0 - Public Economics - - General

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