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Empirical Findings on the Swiss Migration Experience

Author

Listed:
  • Golder, Stefan M.

    (affiliation not available)

  • Straubhaar, Thomas

    (University of Hamburg)

Abstract

Switzerland has experienced a substantial influx of immigrants over the last 50 years after World War II, which has led Switzerland to have among the highest share of foreigners in population among all OECD countries. This paper analyses the migration experience of Switzerland. The analysis centers around two main issues: the economic effects of migration and the labour market performance of immigrants. Two main results emerge from our study. First, as a result of the shortcomings of the Swiss migration policy, immigrants tend to have a negative impact on the Swiss economy. Second, the analysis of the labour market performance shows that there are substantial discrepancies in the performance between immigrants from different countries of origin. Immigrants from Northern European countries largely outperform immigrants from Southern European and Non-European countries. On the basis of the empirical analysis, this study finally outlines some reform options for the Swiss migration policy.

Suggested Citation

  • Golder, Stefan M. & Straubhaar, Thomas, 1999. "Empirical Findings on the Swiss Migration Experience," IZA Discussion Papers 40, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp40
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Kellermann, Kersten & Schlag, Carsten-Henning, 2012. "Ausländerbeschäftigung in Liechtenstein: Fluch oder Segen?," KOFL Working Papers 12, Konjunkturforschungsstelle Liechtenstein (KOFL), Vaduz.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    international migration; wage differentials; Factor income distribution; immigrant workers; labor productivity;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D33 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - Factor Income Distribution
    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
    • J61 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Geographic Labor Mobility; Immigrant Workers

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