## The Labor Market Performance of Immigrants in Germany

_IMF Working Papers, January 21, 2016_

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**Canonical URL:** [The Labor Market Performance of Immigrants in Germany](https://www.imf.org/en/publications/wp/issues/2016/12/31/the-labor-market-performance-of-immigrants-in-germany-43636)

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## Bibliographic details
- Authors: Robert C. M. Beyer
- Published: January 21, 2016
- Series: IMF Working Papers
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9781498376112.001

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### Data and Methodology
- Uses a large survey (GSOEP) to analyze labor market performance of immigrants in Germany.
- Employs Mincer-type wage equation and regression output (keywords indicate regression-based analysis and attention to participation, unemployment, and wage distribution).

### Main Findings
- New immigrant workers earn on average 20 percent less than native workers with otherwise identical characteristics.
- The wage gap is:
  - Smaller for immigrants from advanced countries.
  - Smaller for immigrants with good German language skills.
  - Smaller for immigrants with a German degree.
  - Larger for other immigrant groups.
- The wage gap declines gradually over time.
- Less success in obtaining jobs with higher occupational autonomy explains half of the wage gap.
- Immigrants are initially:
  - Less likely to participate in the labor market.
  - More likely to be unemployed.
- While participation fully converges after 20 years, immigrants always remain more likely to be unemployed than the native labor force.

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_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/publications/wp/issues/2016/12/31/the-labor-market-performance-of-immigrants-in-germany-43636_
