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Does Immigration Affect Native Wages? A Meta-Analysis
[L'immigration affecte-t-elle les salaires des autochtones ? Une méta-analyse]

Author

Listed:
  • Clément Nedoncelle

    (UMR PSAE - Paris-Saclay Applied Economics - AgroParisTech - Université Paris-Saclay - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement)

  • Léa Marchal

    (CES - Centre d'économie de la Sorbonne - UP1 - Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

  • Amandine Aubry

    (CREM - Centre de recherche en économie et management - UNICAEN - Université de Caen Normandie - NU - Normandie Université - UR - Université de Rennes - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

  • Jérôme Héricourt

    (CEPII - Centre d'Etudes Prospectives et d'Informations Internationales - Centre d'analyse stratégique, EPEE - Centre d'Etudes des Politiques Economiques - UEVE - Université d'Évry-Val-d'Essonne - Université Paris-Saclay, CEPS - Centre d'Economie de l'ENS Paris-Saclay - Université Paris-Saclay - ENS Paris Saclay - Ecole Normale Supérieure Paris-Saclay)

Abstract

The impact of immigration on native workers' wages has been a long-standing debate in labour economics. This meta-analysis synthesises findings from 88 studies published between 1985 and 2023, providing a comprehensive assessment of reduced-form estimates of the wage effect of immigration. Our results align with the existing literature, showing that the average wage effect is centred around zero, with substantial heterogeneity across studies. We highlight the critical role of contexts and methodological choices in shaping wage estimates. In particular, we find that shift-share instrumental variables correct for an upward bias of the OLS. Our findings emphasise the need for replication studies and greater transparency in methodological choices.

Suggested Citation

  • Clément Nedoncelle & Léa Marchal & Amandine Aubry & Jérôme Héricourt, 2025. "Does Immigration Affect Native Wages? A Meta-Analysis [L'immigration affecte-t-elle les salaires des autochtones ? Une méta-analyse]," Université Paris1 Panthéon-Sorbonne (Post-Print and Working Papers) halshs-05052498, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:cesptp:halshs-05052498
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://shs.hal.science/halshs-05052498v1
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Immigration; Labour market; Meta-analysis; Wage;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C80 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs - - - General
    • J61 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Geographic Labor Mobility; Immigrant Workers
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials

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