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Invisible Immigrants? Urbanisation, Co-National Density and the Legal Integration of Refugees

Author

Listed:
  • Cole, Matt

    (University of Birmingham)

  • Koster, Hans

    (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)

  • Ozgen, Ceren

    (University of Birmingham)

  • Yumoto, Hiromi

    (University of Essex)

Abstract

Using the quasi-random allocation of refugees and detailed administrative data, we examine the effect of urban density on refugees’ decisions to naturalise. Our results indicate that refugees assigned to urban areas are more likely to naturalise, largely due to a higher density of co-national networks. We find that a one standard deviation increase in co-national density increases the likelihood of naturalising by 1.3 percentage points. Our findings remain robust even after accounting for factors such as labour market effects and public attitudes and seem to stem from the reduced information costs and strength of weak ties within co-national networks.

Suggested Citation

  • Cole, Matt & Koster, Hans & Ozgen, Ceren & Yumoto, Hiromi, 2026. "Invisible Immigrants? Urbanisation, Co-National Density and the Legal Integration of Refugees," IZA Discussion Papers 18590, IZA Network @ LISER.
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp18590
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J18 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Public Policy
    • O52 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Europe
    • R19 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Other

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