IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/dem/demres/v53y2025i33.html

Immigrant labor market dynamics in Germany by family status

Author

Listed:
  • Chia Liu

    (University of St Andrews)

  • Hill Kulu

    (University of St Andrews)

Abstract

Background: The labor market activities of immigrants are diverse and highly gendered. Few studies have examined these disparities by legal entry pathway in a multi-state framework that accounts for multiple entries to and exits from the market. Objective: We analyze immigrants’ timing and level of participation in training and labor market activities by gender, parity, and legal entry pathway. Methods: Using data from the German Socio-Economic Panel (GSOEP), we employ competing-risks event history models, treating labor market attachment as a multi-state process. Results: Immigrants from Europe, ex-Yugoslavia, and the former Soviet Union exhibit higher levels of labor market attachment than immigrants from Turkey, Africa, and West Asia. However, we find that the presence of children is more negatively linked to women’s labor force participation for Europeans than non-Europeans. Turkish, West Asian, and African immigrant women are less likely to return to the labor market once they exit. Conclusions: The greater impact of motherhood on the labor market participation of European immigrant women than that of non-European immigrant women is due to their higher participation when childless. However, overall, non-European immigrant women show markedly lower attachment to the labor market regardless of motherhood status. Contribution: This research sheds light on how gender, origin, and entry pathway intersect with family processes, particularly among women, contributing to a deeper understanding of immigrant labor dynamics.

Suggested Citation

  • Chia Liu & Hill Kulu, 2025. "Immigrant labor market dynamics in Germany by family status," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 53(33), pages 1063-1100.
    • Handle: RePEc:dem:demres:v:53:y:2025:i:33
    DOI: 10.4054/DemRes.2025.53.33
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.demographic-research.org/volumes/vol53/33/53-33.pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.4054/DemRes.2025.53.33?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Zerrin Salikutluk & Johannes Giesecke & Martin Kroh, 2020. "The Situation of Female Immigrants on the German Labour Market: A Multi-Perspective Approach," SOEPpapers on Multidisciplinary Panel Data Research 1072, DIW Berlin, The German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP).
    2. Lucas Guichard, 2020. "Self-selection of Asylum Seekers: Evidence From Germany," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 57(3), pages 1089-1116, June.
    3. Besamusca, Janna & Tijdens, Kea & Keune, Maarten & Steinmetz, Stephanie, 2015. "Working Women Worldwide. Age Effects in Female Labor Force Participation in 117 Countries," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 123-141.
    4. Paul Boyle & Thomas Cooke & Keith Halfacree & Darren Smith, 2001. "A cross-national comparison of the impact of family migration on women’s employment status," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 38(2), pages 201-213, May.
    5. Mary Corcoran & Greg J. Duncan, 1979. "Work History, Labor Force Attachment, and Earnings Differences between the Races and Sexes," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 14(1), pages 3-20.
    6. Joshua R. Goldstein & Michaela Kreyenfeld, 2011. "Has East Germany Overtaken West Germany? Recent Trends in Order‐Specific Fertility," Population and Development Review, The Population Council, Inc., vol. 37(3), pages 453-472, September.
    7. Gordon F. De Jong & Anna B. Madamba, 2001. "A Double Disadvantage? Minority Group, Immigrant Status, and Underemployment in the United States," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 82(1), pages 117-130, March.
    8. Sergi Vidal & Philipp M. Lersch & Marita Jacob & Karsten Hank, 2020. "Interdependencies in Mothers’ and Daughters’ Work-Family Life Course Trajectories: Similar but Different?," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 57(4), pages 1483-1511, August.
    9. Jan Bavel, 2010. "Choice of study discipline and the postponement of motherhood in Europe: The impact of expected earnings, gender composition, and family attitudes," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 47(2), pages 439-458, May.
    10. Yassine Khoudja & Fenella Fleischmann, 2017. "Labor Force Participation of Immigrant Women in the Netherlands: Do Traditional Partners Hold Them Back?," International Migration Review, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 51(2), pages 506-541, June.
    11. repec:sae:mrxval:v:54:y:2020:i:1:p:233-261 is not listed on IDEAS
    12. Christian Dustmann & Francesco Fasani & Tommaso Frattini & Luigi Minale & Uta Schönberg, 2017. "On the economics and politics of refugee migration," Economic Policy, CEPR, CESifo, Sciences Po;CES;MSH, vol. 32(91), pages 497-550.
    13. Dustmann, Christian, 1997. "Differences in the labor market behavior between temporary and permanent migrant women," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 4(1), pages 29-46, March.
    14. Jennifer Elrick & Naomi Lightman, 2016. "Sorting or Shaping? The Gendered Economic Outcomes of Immigration Policy in Canada," International Migration Review, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 50(2), pages 352-384, June.
    15. Khoudja, Yassine & Platt, Lucinda, 2018. "Labour market entries and exits of women from different origin countries in the UK," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 85154, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    16. repec:sae:mrxval:v:50:y:2016:i:2:p:352-384 is not listed on IDEAS
    17. Nadja Milewski, 2010. "Immigrant fertility in West Germany: Is there a socialization effect in transitions to second and third births? [Fécondité des immigrées en Allemagne de l’Ouest: existe-t-il un effet de la socialization dans le passage du premier au deuxieme enfan," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 26(3), pages 297-323, August.
    18. Krieger, Magdalena, 2020. "Tied and Troubled: Revisiting Tied Migration and Subsequent Employment," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 82(3), pages 934-952.
    19. Niall Newsham & Francisco Rowe, 2021. "Projecting the demographic impact of Syrian migration in a rapidly ageing society, Germany," Journal of Geographical Systems, Springer, vol. 23(2), pages 231-261, April.
    20. repec:sae:mrxval:v:53:y:2019:i:1:p:59-89 is not listed on IDEAS
    21. Francine D Blau & Lawrence M Kahn & Kerry L Papps, 2011. "Gender, Source Country Characteristics, and Labor Market Assimilation among Immigrants," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 93(1), pages 43-58, February.
    22. Herbert Brücker & Johannes Croisier & Yuliya Kosyakova & Hannes Kröger & Giuseppe Pietrantuono & Nina Rother & Jürgen Schupp, 2019. "Language Skills and Employment Rate of Refugees in Germany Improving with Time," DIW Weekly Report, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research, vol. 9(4/5/6), pages 49-61.
    23. Helen Baykara-Krumme & Nadja Milewski, 2017. "Fertility Patterns Among Turkish Women in Turkey and Abroad: The Effects of International Mobility, Migrant Generation, and Family Background," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 33(3), pages 409-436, July.
    24. repec:sae:mrxval:v:51:y:2017:i:2:p:506-541 is not listed on IDEAS
    25. Zimmermann, Klaus F. (ed.), 2005. "European Migration: What Do We Know?," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780199257355.
    26. repec:bla:revpol:v:20:y:2003:i:1:p:115-134 is not listed on IDEAS
    27. Zerrin Salikutluk & Johannes Giesecke & Martin Kroh, 2016. "Refugees Entered the Labor Market Later Than Other Migrants," DIW Economic Bulletin, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research, vol. 6(34/35), pages 407-413.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Bedaso, Fenet, 2021. "The Labor Market Integration of Refugees and other Migrants in Germany," GLO Discussion Paper Series 884, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    2. Hebsaker, Michael & Neidhöfer, Guido & Pfeiffer, Friedhelm, 2021. "Intergenerational mobility and self-selection on unobserved skills: New evidence," Journal for Labour Market Research, Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung (IAB), Nürnberg [Institute for Employment Research, Nuremberg, Germany], vol. 55, pages 1-008.
    3. Kamila Cygan-Rehm, 2014. "Immigrant Fertility in Germany: The Role of Culture," Schmollers Jahrbuch : Journal of Applied Social Science Studies / Zeitschrift für Wirtschafts- und Sozialwissenschaften, Duncker & Humblot, Berlin, vol. 134(3), pages 305-340.
    4. Gambaro, Ludovica & Neidhöfer, Guido & Spiess, C. Katharina, 2021. "The effect of early childhood education and care services on the integration of refugee families," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).
    5. Ludovica Gambaro & Guido Neidhöfer & C. Katharina Spieß, 2019. "The Effect of Early Childhood Education and Care Services on the Social Integration of Refugee Families," Discussion Papers of DIW Berlin 1828, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research.
    6. Isaure Delaporte & Hill Kulu, 2024. "Family Formation and Employment Changes Among Descendants of Immigrants in France: A Multiprocess Analysis," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 40(1), pages 1-77, December.
    7. Silvia Loi & Peng Li & Mikko Myrskylä, 2022. "At the intersection of adverse life course pathways: the effects on health by nativity," MPIDR Working Papers WP-2022-018, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany.
    8. Daniela Grunow & Torsten Lietzmann, 2021. "Women's employment transitions: The influence of her, his, and joint gender ideologies," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 45(3), pages 55-86.
    9. Rosa Weber & Jan Saarela, 2023. "Who Migrates and Who Returns in a Context of Free Mobility? An Analysis of the Reason for Migration, Income and Family Trajectories," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 39(1), pages 1-28, December.
    10. Anja Koebrich Leon, 2013. "Does Cultural Heritage affect Employment decisions – Empirical Evidence for Second Generation Immigrants in Germany," Working Paper Series in Economics 270, University of Lüneburg, Institute of Economics.
    11. Anja Oppermann, 2012. "A New Color in the Picture: The Impact of Educational Fields on Fertility in Western Germany," SOEPpapers on Multidisciplinary Panel Data Research 496, DIW Berlin, The German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP).
    12. Adriana Cardozo Silva & Yuliya Kosyakova & Aslıhan Yurdakul, 2023. "Gendered Implications of Restricted Residence Obligation Policies on Refugees’ Employment in Germany," SOEPpapers on Multidisciplinary Panel Data Research 1203, DIW Berlin, The German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP).
    13. Jacobsen Jannes & Krieger Magdalena & Schikora Felicitas & Schupp Jürgen, 2021. "Growing Potentials for Migration Research using the German Socio-Economic Panel Study," Journal of Economics and Statistics (Jahrbuecher fuer Nationaloekonomie und Statistik), De Gruyter, vol. 241(4), pages 527-549, August.
    14. Cristina Samper Mejia, 2023. "The Interplay Between the Early Work and Family Trajectories of Young Adult Women Born in West Germany: Differences by Parental Origins," Journal of International Migration and Integration, Springer, vol. 24(1), pages 345-368, March.
    15. Aksoy, Cevat Giray & Poutvaara, Panu, 2021. "Refugees' and irregular migrants’ self-selection into Europe," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 152(C).
    16. Uzi Rebhun, 2010. "Immigration, Gender, and Earnings in Israel," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 26(1), pages 73-97, February.
    17. Doerr, Annabelle & Hartmann, Carina & Sajons, Christoph, 2022. "Unregistered work among refugees: Evidence from a list experiment in Germany," Working papers 2022/01, Faculty of Business and Economics - University of Basel.
    18. Ene Ikpebe & Michael C. Seeborg, 2025. "The association between gender, tied migration and intermarriage, and the labor market performance of married African immigrants in the United States," Journal for Labour Market Research, Springer;Institute for Employment Research/ Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung (IAB), vol. 59(1), pages 1-16, December.
    19. Stichnoth, Holger & Yeter, Mustafa, 2013. "Cultural influences on the fertility behaviour of first- and second-generation immigrants in Germany," ZEW Discussion Papers 13-023, ZEW - Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research.
    20. Stefan Jestl & Michael Landesmann & Sebastian Leitner & Barbara Wanek-Zajic, 2022. "Trajectories of Employment Gaps of Refugees and Other Migrants: Evidence from Austria," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 41(2), pages 609-669, April.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    JEL classification:

    • J1 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:dem:demres:v:53:y:2025:i:33. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Editorial Office (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.demogr.mpg.de/ .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.