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Migration, Unemployment, and Skill Downgrading

Author

Listed:
  • Joan Muysken
  • Ehsan Vallizadeh
  • Thomas Ziesemer

Abstract

In this paper, we analyze the labor market impacts of immigration under flexible and rigid labor market regimes. A general equilibrium framework is developed, accounting for skill heterogeneity and labor market frictions, where unemployed medium-skilled manufacturing workers are downgraded into low-skilled service jobs, while low-skilled service workers might end up unemployed. The analytical analysis shows that medium-skill immigration decreases low-skilled unemployment under the flexible regime, indicating a complementarity effect, while the rigid regime induces a substitution effect, leading to low-skilled unemployment. Moreover, it leads to wage polarization. In a numerical analysis, the economic effects of different migration scenarios are quantified.

Suggested Citation

  • Joan Muysken & Ehsan Vallizadeh & Thomas Ziesemer, 2015. "Migration, Unemployment, and Skill Downgrading," Scandinavian Journal of Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 117(2), pages 403-451, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:scandj:v:117:y:2015:i:2:p:403-451
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1111/sjoe.12104
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Vallizadeh E. & Muysken J. & Ziesemer T.H.W., 2015. "Offshoring of medium-skill jobs, polarization, and productivity effect: Implications for wages and low-skill unemployment," MERIT Working Papers 2015-004, United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).
    2. Ziesemer, Thomas H.W., 2024. "Linking the BOPC growth model with foreign debt dynamics to goods and labour markets: A BOP-IXSM-Okun model," Research in Economics, Elsevier, vol. 78(4).
    3. Baccini, Leonardo & Lodefalk, Magnus & Sabolová, Radka, 2024. "Economic Determinants of Attitudes Toward Migration: Firm-level Evidence from Europe," International Organization, Cambridge University Press, vol. 78(1), pages 67-102, January.
    4. Jinno, Masatoshi & Yasuoka, Masaya, 2021. "Endogenous fertility and unemployment -Considering the effects of immigrants through school system," MPRA Paper 106379, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    5. repec:iab:iabjlr:v:56:p:art.08 is not listed on IDEAS
    6. Ziesemer, Thomas, 2022. "Linking the BOPC growth model with foreign debt dynamics to the goods and labour markets," MERIT Working Papers 2022-029, United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).
    7. Masatoshi Jinno & Masaya Yasuoka, 2022. "Economic benefits of immigration for natives: the effects of immigrants through the school system," International Review of Economics, Springer;Happiness Economics and Interpersonal Relations (HEIRS), vol. 69(2), pages 125-143, June.
    8. Huy Le-Quang & Ehsan Vallizadeh, 2022. "The returns to school-quality-adjusted education of immigrants in Germany," Journal for Labour Market Research, Springer;Institute for Employment Research/ Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung (IAB), vol. 56(1), pages 1-15, December.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration
    • J51 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor-Management Relations, Trade Unions, and Collective Bargaining - - - Trade Unions: Objectives, Structure, and Effects
    • J52 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor-Management Relations, Trade Unions, and Collective Bargaining - - - Dispute Resolution: Strikes, Arbitration, and Mediation
    • J61 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Geographic Labor Mobility; Immigrant Workers
    • J64 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Unemployment: Models, Duration, Incidence, and Job Search

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