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Economic Preferences and the Self-selection of Immigrants

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Listed:
  • Zhan, Crystal
  • Deole, Sumit

Abstract

Classical theories hypothesize individual economic preferences, including preferences toward risk, time, and trust, as determinants for migration intention. In the paper, we combine data from the German Socio-Economic Panel, European Social Survey, and World Values Survey to investigate how immigrants to Germany are self-selected from the origin population based on their preferences. We find a higher migration propensity among individuals who are more altruistic, patient, and trusting, conditional on age, gender, education, and a series of origin country's economic and political factors. However, individuals are positively selected on risk appetite in low-risk countries but adversely selected in high-risk countries. The degree of selectivity regarding preferences is also heterogeneous across demographics and origin-country characteristics.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhan, Crystal & Deole, Sumit, 2022. "Economic Preferences and the Self-selection of Immigrants," GLO Discussion Paper Series 1156, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:glodps:1156
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    self-selection; economic preferences; refugees; reasons for migration; origin country;
    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
    • J6 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
    • Z1 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics

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