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Acquiring Human Capital through the Generations by Migration

Author

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  • Smith, James P.

    (RAND)

  • Delaney, Liam

    (University of Stirling)

Abstract

Our focus will be on the role of migration to the United States from a set of important European sending countries as a device for improving the human capital of the children and grandchildren of migrants as measured by their education. In this paper, we derive a new and conceptual more appropriate measure of the generational gains in schooling attributable to migration by taking into account the correct counter-factual – the generational education gains that would have taken place if these migrants had remained in their sending countries. We find that the two European countries where the descendants gained the most in terms of human capital are Italy and Poland.

Suggested Citation

  • Smith, James P. & Delaney, Liam, 2013. "Acquiring Human Capital through the Generations by Migration," IZA Discussion Papers 7782, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp7782
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ran Abramitzky & Leah Platt Boustan & Katherine Eriksson, 2012. "Europe's Tired, Poor, Huddled Masses: Self-Selection and Economic Outcomes in the Age of Mass Migration," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 102(5), pages 1832-1856, August.
    2. James P. Smith, 2003. "Assimilation across the Latino Generations," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 93(2), pages 315-319, May.
    3. Evelyn Kitagawa & Philip Hauser, 1968. "Education differentials in mortality by cause of death: United States, 1960," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 5(1), pages 318-353, March.
    4. Smith, James P, 1984. "Race and Human Capital," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 74(4), pages 685-698, September.
    5. Liam Delaney & Alan Fernihough & James Smith, 2013. "Exporting Poor Health: The Irish in England," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 50(6), pages 2013-2035, December.
    6. Iris Kesternich & Bettina Siflinger & James P. Smith & Joachim K. Winter, 2014. "The Effects of World War II on Economic and Health Outcomes across Europe," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 96(1), pages 103-118, March.
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    2. Silvia Helena Barcellos & Leandro S. Carvalho & James P. Smith & Joanne Yoong, 2016. "Financial Education Interventions Targeting Immigrants and Children of Immigrants: Results from a Randomized Control Trial," Journal of Consumer Affairs, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 50(2), pages 263-285, July.
    3. Crystal Zhan, 2017. "Institutions, social norms, and educational attainment," Education Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 25(1), pages 22-44, January.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • I25 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Economic Development

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