Childhood and family experiences and the social integration of young migrants

We study how age at migration affects social integration in adulthood. Using Swedish register data, we estimate the effects of age at migration by comparing siblings arriving (as children) at the same time, but at different ages. Migrants who were older when they arrived are less likely to live clos...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Labour economics 2015-08, Vol.35, p.135-144
Main Authors: Åslund, Olof, Böhlmark, Anders, Skans, Oskar Nordström
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Age at migration
Assimilation
Cultural identity
Immigration
Migration
Siblings
Social integration
Socioeconomic factors
Studies
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Summary:We study how age at migration affects social integration in adulthood. Using Swedish register data, we estimate the effects of age at migration by comparing siblings arriving (as children) at the same time, but at different ages. Migrants who were older when they arrived are less likely to live close to, work with, and marry natives. We also study 2nd generation immigrants and show that parental time in the host country has similar (although somewhat weaker) effects for this group. The effects do not appear to be propagated through socioeconomic status. Instead, preferences or cultural identities appear as key mechanisms. •We show that age at migration affects social integration in adulthood.•We compare siblings using Swedish register data on childhood migrants.•Older at arrival means less likely to live close to, work with, and marry natives.•Cultural identities more important mechanism than socioeconomic status.
ISSN:0927-5371
1879-1034
1879-1034
DOI:10.1016/j.labeco.2015.05.004