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Social Assistance and Refugee Crime

Author

Listed:
  • Daniel Auer
  • Michaela Slotwinski
  • Achim Ahrens
  • Dominik Hangartner
  • Selina Kurer
  • Stefanie Kurt
  • Alois Stutzer

Abstract

Despite intense policy debates, the relationship between social welfare and refugee crime remains understudied. Taking steps to address this gap, our study focuses on Switzerland, where mobility restrictions on exogenously assigned refugees coincide with cantons’ autonomy in setting social assistance rates. Linking time-varying cantonal benefit rates between 2009 and 2016 to individual-level administrative data, we find that higher social assistance reduces criminal charges, especially for petty crimes and drug offenses. In light of limited (short-run) repercussions for refugees’ labor market participation, our results suggest social assistance can be a cost-effective measure to improve refugee welfare and enhance public safety.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel Auer & Michaela Slotwinski & Achim Ahrens & Dominik Hangartner & Selina Kurer & Stefanie Kurt & Alois Stutzer, 2024. "Social Assistance and Refugee Crime," CESifo Working Paper Series 11051, CESifo.
    • Handle: RePEc:ces:ceswps:_11051
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    immigration; crime; welfare benefits; refugees; migration policy;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D02 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Institutions: Design, Formation, Operations, and Impact
    • H53 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Welfare Programs
    • J18 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Public Policy
    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law

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