This paper brings new evidence to the existing literature on earnings differentials and returns to human capital for immigrants and natives. It is the first paper analysing this topic using data drawn from the Italian Labour Force Survey, a large nationally representative dataset. We show that returns to human capital are considerably lower for immigrants as compared to natives and that there is no return to pre-immigration work experience, suggesting imperfect transferability of human capital. In the second part of the paper we explore models of occupational attainment among immigrants and the native born. Our findings suggest that, contrary to what is observed for natives, immigrants’ human capital does not contribute to getting access to high-paying occupations.

Lucifora, C., Dell'Aringa, C., Pagani, L., Earnings differentials between immigrants and natives: the role of occupational attainment, <<IZA JOURNAL OF MIGRATION>>, 2015; 2015 (4): 1-18. [doi:10.1186/s40176-015-0031-1] [http://hdl.handle.net/10807/70054]

Earnings differentials between immigrants and natives: the role of occupational attainment

Lucifora, Claudio;Dell'Aringa, Carlo;Pagani, Laura
2015

Abstract

This paper brings new evidence to the existing literature on earnings differentials and returns to human capital for immigrants and natives. It is the first paper analysing this topic using data drawn from the Italian Labour Force Survey, a large nationally representative dataset. We show that returns to human capital are considerably lower for immigrants as compared to natives and that there is no return to pre-immigration work experience, suggesting imperfect transferability of human capital. In the second part of the paper we explore models of occupational attainment among immigrants and the native born. Our findings suggest that, contrary to what is observed for natives, immigrants’ human capital does not contribute to getting access to high-paying occupations.
2015
Inglese
Lucifora, C., Dell'Aringa, C., Pagani, L., Earnings differentials between immigrants and natives: the role of occupational attainment, <<IZA JOURNAL OF MIGRATION>>, 2015; 2015 (4): 1-18. [doi:10.1186/s40176-015-0031-1] [http://hdl.handle.net/10807/70054]
File in questo prodotto:
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10807/70054
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 26
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 19
social impact