This book explores how migrants and refugees can revitalise peripheral regions and communities economically. The extent to which migrants stimulate the economic activities of these regions through labour market participation, entrepreneurship, innovation and consumption is examined theoretically and empirically for the EU as a whole, as well as through empirical case studies that highlight the impact of migration at macro, company, and individual levels. A particular focus is given to the economic consequences of Third Country Nationals to places beyond the cities, i.e. the peripheral and remote regions of Europe.
This book aims to provide insight into the role of migrations in low productive and labour-intensive regions. The authors provide innovative policy recommendations to stimulate the positive economic consequences of immigration to places beyond the cities. It will be of interest to students, researchers, and policymakers working within labour economics and migration and integration policies.
Author(s): Daniel Rauhut, Birgit Aigner-Walder, Rahel M. Schomaker
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
Year: 2023
Language: English
Pages: 181
City: London
Preface
Contents
About the Authors
List of Figures
List of Tables
Chapter 1: What Is This Book About? Introductory Positioning
1.1 Trends in Migration Flows and Policies
1.2 Migration Flows and the Spatial Distribution of Immigrants
1.3 Economic Structure and Spatiality
1.4 The Economic Effects of Immigration
1.5 The Aim and Scope of This Book
1.6 Methodological Considerations and Personal Reflections
1.7 The Structure of the Book
References
Chapter 2: Economic Theory and Migration
2.1 Determinants of International Migration
2.2 Economic Effects of International Migration
Costs of Immigration
Decrease in Wages
Costs of Integration
Benefits of Migration
The Immigration Surplus
Increase in Market Size
Increase in Local Consumption
Questioning the Assumptions
No Fixed Capital
No Perfect Substitution
Other Aspects
Technical Progress and Product Mix
Increase of Internal Migration
Decrease of Regional Wage Differentials
2.3 Previous Empirical Results on the Effects of Immigration
Economic Consequences at an Aggregate Level
Economic Growth
Structural Change and Rationalisation
Human Capital
Taxes and Fiscal Transfers
Economic Consequences at an Individual Level
Unemployment and Wages
Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Housing and Segregation
2.4 Summary
References
Chapter 3: Migration Beyond the Cities
3.1 Urban-Rural Divide
3.2 Attractiveness of Regions Beyond the Cities for Migrants
The Theoretical Perspective
Empirical Evidence on the Regional Preferences of Migrants
3.3 Effects of Migration on a Regional Level—Empirical Evidence
3.4 Analytical Framework on the Effects of Migration in Non-urban Areas
The Case of an Excess Demand for Labour
The Case of an Excess Supply for Labour
Other Aspects
3.5 Concluding Remarks and Guiding Research Questions
References
Chapter 4: Data and Methods
4.1 Research Framework
4.2 Data
4.3 Indicators
4.4 Methods
4.5 Conclusion
References
Chapter 5: Immigration Beyond the Cities: An Analysis
5.1 Labour Market Needs in Rural Areas—An Ageing Europe
5.2 The Potential of Migrants—Educational Attainment Level and Employment Situation
5.3 Migrants as Consumers—The Economic Situation of Migrants
5.4 Migrants as Innovators?—A Way Out of a Potential Vicious Circle of Underdevelopment
5.5 Overall Economic Effects of Migration—TCN and Economic Growth
5.6 Do Regions Beyond the Cities Gain Nevertheless?—The Relevance of Fiscal Regulations
5.7 Summary
References
Chapter 6: Policy Considerations
6.1 Existing Policies
The Idea of an A-spatial Economic Structure
Immigrant Settlement Strategies
The Labour Market Situation for Immigrants
The Role of the European Union
6.2 The Needed Policy Design
The Economic Heterogeneity of Immigrants
The Policy Actors
Policy Challenges to Address
6.3 Potential Ways Forward
A New Classification for Migrants
A New System of Distribution of Refugees
The Chicken or the Egg: Which Came First?
6.4 Concluding Remarks
References
Chapter 7: The Multi-faceted Implications of Immigration: Reflections and Conclusions
7.1 What Are the Main Findings?
7.2 Policy Options
7.3 Looking Onwards and Outwards
7.4 Conclusion
References
Index
