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The Labour Market Impact of Immigration

Author

Listed:
  • Christian Dustmann

    (Centre for Research and Analysis of Migration (CReAM), Department of Economics, UCL, Department of Economics)

  • Albrecht Glitz

    (Universitat Pompeu Fabra)

  • Tommaso Frattini

    (Centre for Research and Analysis of Migration (CReAM), Department of Economics, UCL)

Abstract

In the first part of this paper, we present a stylised model of the labour market impact of immigration. We then discuss mechanisms through which an economy can adjust to immigration: changes in factor prices, output mix and production technology. In the second part, we explain the problems of empirically estimating how immigration affects labour market outcomes of the resident population and review some strategies to address these. We then summarise some recent empirical studies for the UK and other countries. We conclude with an outlook of what we believe are important avenues for future research.

Suggested Citation

  • Christian Dustmann & Albrecht Glitz & Tommaso Frattini, 2008. "The Labour Market Impact of Immigration," RF Berlin - CReAM Discussion Paper Series 0811, Rockwool Foundation Berlin (RF Berlin) - Centre for Research and Analysis of Migration (CReAM).
  • Handle: RePEc:crm:wpaper:0811
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Migration; Labour Market Impact; Wage Distribution;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • 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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