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Migration and Productivity in the UK: An Analysis of Employee Payroll Data

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  • Nam, Hoseong

    (King's College London)

  • Portes, Jonathan

    (King's College London)

Abstract

We investigate the impact of immigration on productivity in the UK, using newly published ONS data on employees of non-UK origin by region and sector. Consistent with earlier research, we find some evidence of a positive association between non-EU migration and productivity, and some weaker evidence of a negative association between EU migration and productivity, although results are sensitive to the specifications used.

Suggested Citation

  • Nam, Hoseong & Portes, Jonathan, 2023. "Migration and Productivity in the UK: An Analysis of Employee Payroll Data," IZA Discussion Papers 16472, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp16472
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Alberto Alesina & Johann Harnoss & Hillel Rapoport, 2016. "Birthplace diversity and economic prosperity," Journal of Economic Growth, Springer, vol. 21(2), pages 101-138, June.
    2. Francesc Ortega & Giovanni Peri, 2016. "Openness and income: The roles of trade and migration," World Scientific Book Chapters, in: The Economics of International Migration, chapter 10, pages 309-329, World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd..
    3. Campo, Francesco & Forte, Giuseppe & Portes, Jonathan, 2018. "The Impact of Migration on Productivity and Native-Born Workers' Training," IZA Discussion Papers 11833, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
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    5. Christian Dustmann & Tommaso Frattini & Ian P. Preston, 2013. "The Effect of Immigration along the Distribution of Wages," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 80(1), pages 145-173.
    6. Giovanni Peri, 2016. "The Effect Of Immigration On Productivity: Evidence From U.S. States," World Scientific Book Chapters, in: The Economics of International Migration, chapter 8, pages 265-275, World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd..
    7. Ottaviano, Gianmarco I.P. & Peri, Giovanni & Wright, Greg C., 2018. "Immigration, trade and productivity in services: Evidence from U.K. firms," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 88-108.
    8. Gianmarco I.P. Ottaviano & Giovanni Peri, 2021. "The economic value of cultural diversity: evidence from US cities," World Scientific Book Chapters, in: Firms and Workers in a Globalized World Larger Markets, Tougher Competition, chapter 7, pages 187-222, World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd..
    9. Jonathan Portes & John Springford, 2023. "The impact of the post-Brexit migration system on the UK labour market," Contemporary Social Science, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 18(2), pages 132-149, March.
    10. repec:hal:pseose:hal-01304131 is not listed on IDEAS
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    migration; productivity; labour markets; Brexit;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration
    • J48 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Particular Labor Markets; Public Policy
    • J61 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Geographic Labor Mobility; Immigrant Workers
    • J68 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Public Policy

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