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Ethnic Diversity and Well-Being

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  • Akay, Alpaslan

    () (University of Gothenburg)

  • Constant, Amelie F.

    () (Temple University)

  • Giulietti, Corrado

    () (University of Southampton)

  • Guzi, Martin

    () (Masaryk University)

Abstract

This paper investigates how ethnic diversity, measured by the immigrants' countries of origin, influences the well-being of the host country. Using panel data from Germany for the period 1998 to 2012, we find a positive effect of ethnic diversity on the well-being of German citizens. To corroborate the robustness of our results, we estimate several alternative specifications and investigate possible causality issues, including non-random selection of natives and immigrants into regions. Finally, we explore productivity and social capital as potential mechanisms behind our finding.

Suggested Citation

  • Akay, Alpaslan & Constant, Amelie F. & Giulietti, Corrado & Guzi, Martin, 2016. "Ethnic Diversity and Well-Being," IZA Discussion Papers 9726, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp9726
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    Cited by:

    1. Vernon, Victoria & Zimmermann, Klaus F., 2019. "Walls and Fences: A Journey Through History and Economics," GLO Discussion Paper Series 330, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    2. Artjoms Ivlevs & Milena Nikolova & Carol Graham, 2019. "Emigration, remittances, and the subjective well-being of those staying behind," Journal of Population Economics, Springer;European Society for Population Economics, vol. 32(1), pages 113-151, January.
    3. repec:spr:jopoec:v:32:y:2019:i:3:d:10.1007_s00148-019-00729-6 is not listed on IDEAS
    4. Masanori Kuroki, 2018. "Racial diversity, immigrants and the well-being of residents: evidence from US counties," Journal of Population Economics, Springer;European Society for Population Economics, vol. 31(1), pages 107-133, January.
    5. repec:eee:jcecon:v:46:y:2018:i:4:p:1347-1369 is not listed on IDEAS
    6. Howley, P.; & Moro, M.; & Waqas, M.; & Delaney, L.; & Heron, T.;, 2018. "Immigration and self-reported well-being in the UK," Health, Econometrics and Data Group (HEDG) Working Papers 18/12, HEDG, c/o Department of Economics, University of York.
    7. Michaela Slotwinski & Alois Stutzer, 2019. "The deterrent effect of an anti-minaret vote on foreigners’ location choices," Journal of Population Economics, Springer;European Society for Population Economics, vol. 32(3), pages 1043-1095, July.
    8. Zimmermann, Klaus F., 2018. "Social Cohesion and Labor Mobility," GLO Discussion Paper Series 249, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    9. Papageorgiou, Athanasios, 2018. "The Effect of Immigration on the Well-Being of Native Populations: Evidence from the United Kingdom," MPRA Paper 93045, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    10. repec:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:9:p:3312-:d:170226 is not listed on IDEAS

    More about this item

    Keywords

    assimilation; subjective well-being; ethnic diversity; multiculturality;

    JEL classification:

    • C90 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - General
    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
    • J61 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Geographic Labor Mobility; Immigrant Workers

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