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Language Skills and Labor Market Performance of Immigrants in the Netherlands

Author

Listed:
  • Yuxin Yao

    (Tilburg University)

  • Jan C. van Ours

    (Tilburg University)

Abstract

Many immigrants in the Netherlands have poor Dutch language skills. They face problems in speaking and reading Dutch. Our paper investigates how these problems affect their labor market performance in terms of employment, hours of work and wages. We find that for female immigrants language problems have significantly negative effects on hourly wages but not on employment probability and hours of work. For male immigrants language problems do not affect employment probability, hours of work or hourly wages.

Suggested Citation

  • Yuxin Yao & Jan C. van Ours, 2015. "Language Skills and Labor Market Performance of Immigrants in the Netherlands," RF Berlin - CReAM Discussion Paper Series 1505, Rockwool Foundation Berlin (RF Berlin) - Centre for Research and Analysis of Migration (CReAM).
    • Handle: RePEc:crm:wpaper:1505
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Language skills; immigrants; labor market performance;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination

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