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Self-selection, earnings, and out-migration: A longitudinal study of immigrants to Germany

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  • Amelie Constant
  • Douglas S. Massey

Abstract

In this paper we examine the process of out-migration and investigate whether cross-sectional earnings assimilation results suffer from selection bias due to out-migration. Our 14 year longitudinal study reveals that emigrants are negatively selected with respect to occupational prestige and to stable full time employment. Our results show no selectivity with respect to human capital or gender. The likelihood of return migration is strongly determined by the range and nature of social attachments to Germany and origin countries. It is also the highest during the first five years since arrival, and grows higher toward retirement. Selective emigration, however, does not appear to distort cross-sectional estimates of earnings assimilation in a relevant way. Copyright Springer-Verlag 2003

Suggested Citation

  • Amelie Constant & Douglas S. Massey, 2003. "Self-selection, earnings, and out-migration: A longitudinal study of immigrants to Germany," Journal of Population Economics, Springer;European Society for Population Economics, vol. 16(4), pages 631-653, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jopoec:v:16:y:2003:i:4:p:631-653
    DOI: 10.1007/s00148-003-0168-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    J61; J2; C4; Return migration; immigrant assimilation; event history;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J61 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Geographic Labor Mobility; Immigrant Workers
    • J2 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor
    • C4 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods: Special Topics

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