Who opposes refugees? Swedish demographics and attitudes towards forcibly displaced populations

Abstract We exploit the quasi-random settlement of refugees in Sweden between 1985 and 1994 to examine characteristics of Swedish voters who showed a disproportionately negative response to increased migration inflows, and we assess whether these responses differed according to economic conditions w...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Oxford review of economic policy 2022-09, Vol.38 (3), p.557-577
Main Authors: Rozo, Sandra V, Urbina, Maria J
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:Abstract We exploit the quasi-random settlement of refugees in Sweden between 1985 and 1994 to examine characteristics of Swedish voters who showed a disproportionately negative response to increased migration inflows, and we assess whether these responses differed according to economic conditions when refugees arrived. We document that, on average, increases in migration inflows translated to lower support for immigration. These responses disproportionately stemmed from attitudinal changes in young males, those with less wealth, and people who worked in blue-collar occupations. Also, we find more support for immigration where employment increased and tax collection was lower when refugees arrived.
ISSN:0266-903X
1460-2121
DOI:10.1093/oxrep/grac015