Is Immigration Good or Bad for the Economy? Analysis of Attitudinal Responses

Abstract

In this paper, we study attitudinal responses of host country residents towards further immigration that are triggered by economic considerations. We develop an economic model motivating the empirical work that takes a broader view on these issues than previous papers. We provide empirical analysis that is based on data more specific and better suited to pick up the many channels of economic interest through which benefits and costs of immigration may be felt. Results support previous literature in establishing strong associations between individual characteristics and a wide range of responses to questions relating to perceived impact of immigrants on economic outcomes. Our analysis points towards harmful effects of immigration on the economy being felt through immigration being a fiscal burden rather than having adverse effects on the labour market.

Citation

Dustmann, C. and Preston, I. (2006), "Is Immigration Good or Bad for the Economy? Analysis of Attitudinal Responses", Polachek, S.W., Chiswick, C. and Rapoport, H. (Ed.) The Economics of Immigration and Social Diversity (Research in Labor Economics, Vol. 24), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 3-34. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0147-9121(05)24001-3