CEPII, Recherche et Expertise sur l'economie mondiale
Second-generation immigrants and native attitudes toward immigrants in Europe


Oscar Barrera
Isabelle Bensidoun
Anthony Edo

 Highlights :
  • We estimate the effects of first- and second-generation immigrants on native attitudes toward immigrants in the European Union.
  • In countries with relatively high share of immigrants, natives are more likely to believe that immigrants worsen crime and are a burden on the welfare system.
  • Native opinions on the impact of immigration on culture and the labor market are unrelated to the presence of immigrants.
  • The effects of second-generation immigrants on pro-immigrant attitudes toward security and fiscal concerns is positive.

 Abstract :
This paper investigates the role played by immigrants and their children in shaping native attitudes toward immigrants in the European Union. By exploiting the 2017 Special Eurobarometer on immigrant integration, we show that countries with a relatively high share of immigrants are more likely to believe that immigrants are a burden on the welfare system and worsen crime. In contrast, native opinions on the impact of immigration on culture and the labor market are unrelated to the presence of immigrants. We also find that the effects of second-generation immigrants on pro-immigrant attitudes toward security and fiscal concerns are positive (as opposed to first-generation immigrants). Finally, we find no impact of the immigrant share on the attitudes of natives supporting far-left or left political parties, while it is the most negative among respondents affiliated with far-right parties.


 Keywords : Immigration | Second-generation Immigrants | Attitudes toward Immigrants | Public Opinion

 JEL : J15, F22, P16
CEPII Working Paper
N°2022-03, June 2022

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 Fields of expertise

Migrations
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