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Pay-As-They-Get-In: Attitudes Towards Migrants And Pension Systems

Author

Listed:
  • Massimo Morelli
  • Tito Boeri
  • Matteo Gamalerio
  • Margherita Negri

Abstract

We study whether a better knowledge of the functioning of pay-as-you-go pension systems and recent demographic trends affects natives’ attitudes towards immigration. In two online experiments conducted in Italy and Spain, we randomly treated participants with a video explaining how, in pay-as-you-go systems, the payment of current pensions depends on the contributions paid by current workers. The video also informs participants about population aging trends in their countries. The treatment increases knowledge of pay-as-you-go systems and future demographic trends for all participants. However, it improves attitudes towards migrants only for treated participants who do not support populist and anti-immigrant parties. Keywords: Information provision, experiment, immigration, pay-as-you-go pension systems, population aging, populism JEL:C90,D83,H55,J15,F22.

Suggested Citation

  • Massimo Morelli & Tito Boeri & Matteo Gamalerio & Margherita Negri, 2023. "Pay-As-They-Get-In: Attitudes Towards Migrants And Pension Systems," Working Papers 705, IGIER (Innocenzo Gasparini Institute for Economic Research), Bocconi University.
    • Handle: RePEc:igi:igierp:705
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    Cited by:

    1. Bertoli, Paola & Grembi, Veronica & Morelli, Massimo & Rosso, Anna Cecilia, 2023. "In medio stat virtus? Effective communication and preferences for redistribution in hard times," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 214(C), pages 105-147.
    2. Despina Gavresi & Andreas Irmen & Anastasia Litina, 2023. "Population Aging and the Rise of Populist Attitudes in Europe," DEM Discussion Paper Series 23-10, Department of Economics at the University of Luxembourg.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    information provision; experiment; immigration; pay-as-you-go pension systems; population aging; populism jel:c90; d83; h55; j15; f22.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C90 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - General
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • H55 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Social Security and Public Pensions
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration

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