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Migrant-family background and subjective well-being: Evidence using Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition

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  • Beja, Edsel Jr.

Abstract

The paper examines the subjective well-being of individuals with migrant-family background and individuals with no migrant-family background. The subjective well-being of the former group is on average lower than the latter group. Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition finds that the gap in their subjective well-being is not explained by differences in socioeconomic profile and social context. Rather the gap is mainly due to the unexplained component of the analysis, which the paper interprets in two ways. First, the unexplained component represents the latent social biases against individuals with migrant heritage. Second, the unexplained component also represents the overall effect of personality, attitude, and migrant culture on the subjective well-being of individuals with migrant heritage.

Suggested Citation

  • Beja, Edsel Jr., 2018. "Migrant-family background and subjective well-being: Evidence using Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition," MPRA Paper 101077, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:101077
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Beja, Edsel Jr., 2019. "Consumer Expectations Survey and Quarterly Social Weather Survey: Evidence of Convergent Validity and Causality," MPRA Paper 101074, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D6 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics
    • F2 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business
    • I3 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty
    • J1 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics

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