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Ethnic identity and labour market outcomes of immigrants in Europe

Author

Listed:
  • Alberto Bisin

    (New York University - NYU - New York University [New York] - NYU - NYU System)

  • Eleonora Patacchini

    (UNIROMA - Università degli Studi di Roma "La Sapienza" = Sapienza University [Rome], EIEF - Einaudi Institute for Economics and Finance - Einaudi Institute for Economics and Finance)

  • Thierry Verdier

    (PSE - Paris-Jourdan Sciences Economiques - ENS-PSL - École normale supérieure - Paris - PSL - Université Paris Sciences et Lettres - INRA - Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - ENPC - École des Ponts ParisTech - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, PSE - Paris School of Economics - UP1 - Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne - ENS-PSL - École normale supérieure - Paris - PSL - Université Paris Sciences et Lettres - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - ENPC - École des Ponts ParisTech - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement, CEPR - Center for Economic Policy Research)

  • Yves Zenou

    (CEPR - Center for Economic Policy Research, Stockholm University, The Research Institute of Industrial Economics - The Research Institute of Industrial Economics)

Abstract

We study the relationship between ethnic identity and labour market outcomes of non-EU immigrants in Europe. Using the European Social Survey, we find that there is a penalty to be paid for immigrants with a strong identity. Being a first generation immigrant leads to a penalty of about 17% while second-generation immigrants have a probability of being employed that is not statistically different from that of natives. However, when they have a strong identity, second-generation immigrants have a lower chance of finding a job than natives. Our analysis also reveals that the relationship between ethnic identity and employment prospects may depend on the type of integration and labour market policies implemented in the country where the immigrant lives. More flexible labour markets help immigrants to access the labour market but do not protect those who have a strong ethnic identity.

Suggested Citation

  • Alberto Bisin & Eleonora Patacchini & Thierry Verdier & Yves Zenou, 2011. "Ethnic identity and labour market outcomes of immigrants in Europe," Post-Print halshs-00754564, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:halshs-00754564
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-0327.2010.00258.x
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    ethnic identity; first- and second-generation immigrants; integration policies; labor-market policies;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J61 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Geographic Labor Mobility; Immigrant Workers

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