You Can't Take it with You? Immigrant Assimilation and the Portability of Human Capital

46 Pages Posted: 10 Jun 2000 Last revised: 15 Dec 2022

See all articles by Rachel M. Friedberg

Rachel M. Friedberg

Brown University - Department of Economics

Date Written: November 1996

Abstract

The national origin of an individual's human capital is a crucial determinant of its value. Education acquired abroad is significantly less valued than education obtained domestically. This difference can fully explain the earnings disadvantage of immigrants relative to comparable natives in Israel. Variation in the return to foreign schooling across origin countries may reflect differences in its quality and compatibility with the host labor market. Three factors language proficiency, domestic labor market experience, and further education following immigration appear to raise the return to education acquired abroad, suggesting a compound benefit of policies encouraging immigrants to obtain language and other training.

Suggested Citation

Friedberg, Rachel M., You Can't Take it with You? Immigrant Assimilation and the Portability of Human Capital (November 1996). NBER Working Paper No. w5837, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=225623

Rachel M. Friedberg (Contact Author)

Brown University - Department of Economics ( email )

64 Waterman Street
Providence, RI 02912
United States

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