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Diversity in school and friendships in adulthood: Evidence from West Germany's guest worker era

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  • Luzega, Anja

Abstract

This paper investigates the long-term association between exposure to descendants of guest workers in school and native German students' friendships in adulthood. Beginning in 1955, millions of guest workers migrated to West Germany, resulting in significant demographic shifts. Using data from the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP), this study focuses on Germans who completed secondary school between 1975 and 1990. The results suggest that individuals experiencing inter-ethnic contact in school are more likely to have foreign friends in adulthood, with this association being strongest for individuals who grew up in rural areas. Possible channels are a change in attitudes, likely due to a reduction in prejudice, and sorting into more urban regions with more opportunities for intergroup contact in adulthood. The results indicate that exposure to diversity in school may be associated with lasting differences in attitudes and behavior.

Suggested Citation

  • Luzega, Anja, 2026. "Diversity in school and friendships in adulthood: Evidence from West Germany's guest worker era," Discussion Papers 2026/25, Free University Berlin, School of Business & Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:fubsbe:344213
    DOI: 10.17169/refubium-54128
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    JEL classification:

    • I20 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - General
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination

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