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Language and culture as drivers of migration

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  • Alícia Adserà

    (Princeton University, USA, and IZA, Germany)

Abstract

As migration flows to developed countries have increased in recent decades, so have the number of countries from which migrants arrive. Thus, it is increasingly important to consider what role differences in culture and language play in migration decisions. Recent work shows that culture and language may explain migration patterns to developed countries even better than traditional economic variables, such as income per capita and unemployment rates in destination and origin countries. Differences in culture and language may create barriers that prevent the full realization of the potential economic gains from international mobility.

Suggested Citation

  • Alícia Adserà, 2015. "Language and culture as drivers of migration," IZA World of Labor, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), pages 164-164, July.
  • Handle: RePEc:iza:izawol:journl:y:2015:n:164
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Iuliana Mihai & Isabel Novo-Corti, 2020. "Cultural Distance and Migration Patterns in the EU: The Romanian Case," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(3), pages 410-424.
    2. Zhiling Wang & Thomas de Graaff & Peter Nijkamp, 2018. "Barriers of Culture, Networks, and Language in International Migration: A Review," REGION, European Regional Science Association, vol. 5, pages 73-89.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    linguistic proximity; cultural barriers; immigration flows; linguistic enclaves; immigration policy;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration
    • J61 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Geographic Labor Mobility; Immigrant Workers
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration

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