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Naturalization and citizenship: Who benefits?

Author

Listed:
  • Christina Gathmann

    (University of Heidelberg, and IZA, Germany)

  • Ole Monscheuer

    (HU Berlin, Germany)

Abstract

The perceived lack of economic or social integration by immigrants in their host countries is a key concern in the public debate. Research shows that the option to naturalize has considerable economic and social benefits for eligible immigrants, even in countries with a tradition of restrictive policies. First-generation immigrants who naturalize have higher earnings and more stable jobs. Gains are particularly large for immigrants from poorer countries. Moreover, citizenship encourages additional investment in skills and enables immigrants to postpone marriage and fertility. A key question is: does naturalization promote successful integration or do only those immigrants most willing to integrate actually apply?

Suggested Citation

  • Christina Gathmann & Ole Monscheuer, 2020. "Naturalization and citizenship: Who benefits?," IZA World of Labor, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), pages 125-125, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izawol:journl:2020:n:125v2
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Steinhardt, Max Friedrich, 2012. "Does citizenship matter? The economic impact of naturalizations in Germany," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 19(6), pages 813-823.
    2. Francesca Mazzolari, 2009. "Dual citizenship rights: do they make more and richer citizens?," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 46(1), pages 169-191, February.
    3. Christina Gathmann & Nicolas Keller, 2014. "Returns to Citizenship?: Evidence from Germany's Recent Immigration Reforms," SOEPpapers on Multidisciplinary Panel Data Research 656, DIW Berlin, The German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP).
    4. Bevelander, Pieter & Veenman, Justus, 2006. "Naturalisation and Socioeconomic Integration: The Case of the Netherlands," IZA Discussion Papers 2153, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    5. Ciro Avitabile & Irma Clots-Figueras & Paolo Masella, 2013. "The Effect of Birthright Citizenship on Parental Integration Outcomes," Journal of Law and Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 56(3), pages 777-810.
    6. Bernt Bratsberg & James F. Ragan & Zafar M. Nasir, 2002. "The Effect of Naturalization on Wage Growth: A Panel Study of Young Male Immigrants," Journal of Labor Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 20(3), pages 568-597, July.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Hinte Holger & Rinne Ulf & Zimmermann Klaus F., 2016. "Punkte machen?!: Warum Deutschland ein aktives Auswahlsystem für ausländische Fachkräfte braucht und wie ein solches System aussehen kann," Perspektiven der Wirtschaftspolitik, De Gruyter, vol. 17(1), pages 68-87, April.
    2. Hinte, Holger & Rinne, Ulf & Zimmermann, Klaus F., 2015. "Punkte machen?! Warum Deutschland ein aktives Auswahlsystem für ausländische Fachkräfte braucht," IZA Standpunkte 79, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    3. Murard, Elie, 2023. "Long-term effects of the 1923 mass refugee inflow on social cohesion in Greece," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 170(C).
    4. Clara Albrecht & Yvonne Giesing & Daria Schaller, 2020. "How to Become an EU Citizen: The Acquisition of Citizenship via Naturalization," CESifo Forum, ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich, vol. 21(04), pages 41-46, November.
    5. Lochmann, Alexia & Rapoport, Hillel & Speciale, Biagio, 2019. "The effect of language training on immigrants’ economic integration: Empirical evidence from France," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 265-296.
    6. Hainmueller, Jens & Cascardi, Elisa & Hotard, Michael & Koslowski, Rey & Lawrence, Duncan & Yasenov, Vasil & Laitin, David D., 2023. "Does Access to Citizenship Confer Socio-Economic Returns? Evidence from a Randomized Control Design," IZA Discussion Papers 16173, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    7. Hainmueller, Jens & Cascardi, Elisa & Hotard, Michael & Koslowski, Rey & Lawrence, Duncan & Yasenov, Vasil & Laitin, David, 2023. "Does access to citizenship confer socio-economic returns? Evidence from a randomized control design," SocArXiv 8u3yv, Center for Open Science.
    8. Elisa Barbiano di Belgiojoso & Livia Elisa Ortensi, 2022. "Who Wants to Become Italian? A Study of Interest in Naturalisation among Foreign Migrants in Italy," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 38(5), pages 1095-1118, December.
    9. Christina Gathmann & Ole Monscheuer & Christina Felfe & Helmut Rainer & Swantje Falcke & Paolo Pinotti & Graziella Bertocchi & Chiara Strozzi, 2020. "Einbürgerung (junger) Migranten: Katalysator oder Belohnung für gelungene Integration?," ifo Schnelldienst, ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich, vol. 73(11), pages 03-24, November.
    10. Raux, Morgan, 2023. "Cultural differences and immigrants’ wages," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
    11. Floris Peters & Hans Schmeets & Maarten Vink, 2020. "Naturalisation and Immigrant Earnings: Why and to Whom Citizenship Matters," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 36(3), pages 511-545, July.
    12. Christina Gathmann & Ole Monscheuer, 2020. "Does Citizenship Foster Economic and Social Integration?," CESifo Forum, ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich, vol. 21(04), pages 08-13, November.
    13. Juliana Mohd Abdul Kadir & Navaz Naghavi & Geetha Subramaniam & Nur A’amilyn Abdul Halim, 2020. "Unemployment among Graduates - Is there a Mismatch?," International Journal of Asian Social Science, Asian Economic and Social Society, vol. 10(10), pages 583-592, October.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    citizenship; economic integration; assimilation; immigration; Europe;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration
    • K37 - Law and Economics - - Other Substantive Areas of Law - - - Immigration Law

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