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A Meta-Analysis of Attitudes Towards Migrants and Displaced

Author

Listed:
  • Weber, Sigrid
  • Stoop, Nik
  • Van der Windt, Peter
  • Zhai, Haoyu

Abstract

Since the early 2010s, social scientists have conducted (survey-) experimental studies that explore what factors drive public attitudes towards migrants to understand who provokes backlash and who is welcomed. We conduct a systematic meta-analysis building on 83 studies that experimentally vary migrant characteristics to assess attitudes towards migrants. The study has several findings: a) sociotropic concerns play a key role: individuals are more welcoming towards migrants that contribute to the economy through their professional occupation, education or language skills; this evidence is particularly strong in developed countries compared to developing countries, b) there is no evidence hosts evaluate migrants through the lens of egocentric economic concerns, c) cultural concerns are important; in particular a persistent anti-Muslim bias; d) humanitarian concerns also shape attitudes toward migrants; particularly towards those that are forcefully displaced in contrast to economic migrants.

Suggested Citation

  • Weber, Sigrid & Stoop, Nik & Van der Windt, Peter & Zhai, Haoyu, 2024. "A Meta-Analysis of Attitudes Towards Migrants and Displaced," MPRA Paper 122629, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:122629
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    migration; displacement; attitudes; survey experiment; conjoint; meta-analysis;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D0 - Microeconomics - - General
    • H0 - Public Economics - - General
    • J6 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers

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