Economic Strain, Ethnic Concentration and Attitudes Towards Foreigners in the European Union

41 Pages Posted: 10 Oct 2002

See all articles by Ira N. Gang

Ira N. Gang

Rutgers University - Economics Department

Francisco Rivera-Batiz

Columbia University

Myeong-Su Yun

Inha University - Department of Economics; IZA Institute of Labor Economics

Date Written: September 2002

Abstract

This paper provides a statistical analysis of the determinants of attitudes towards foreigners displayed by Europeans sampled in Eurobarometer surveys in 1988 and 1997. Europeans who compete with immigrants in the labor market have more negative attitudes towards foreigners. In addition, an increased concentration of immigrants in local neighborhoods increases the likelihood of negative attitudes. Racial prejudice exerts a strong influence on anti-foreigner sentiment. The generally rising trend towards greater racial prejudice, and the decline in the strength of educational attainment in reducing negative attitudes towards foreigners, contribute to the increasing anti-foreigner attitudes between 1988 and 1997.

Keywords: Anti-foreigner, Labor Force Status, Ethnic Concentration, Probit Decomposition, Racial Prejudice, Attitudes, Sentiments Towards Migrants

JEL Classification: J15, J61, F22

Suggested Citation

Gang, Ira N. and Rivera-Batiz, Francisco and Yun, Myeong-Su, Economic Strain, Ethnic Concentration and Attitudes Towards Foreigners in the European Union (September 2002). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=331475 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.331475

Ira N. Gang (Contact Author)

Rutgers University - Economics Department ( email )

75 Hamilton Street
ECONOMICS, New Jersey Hall, Rutgers University
New Brunswick, NJ 08901-1248
United States
732-932-7363 (Phone)
732-932-7416 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://econweb.rutgers.edu/gang/research

Francisco Rivera-Batiz

Columbia University ( email )

420 W. 118th Street
New York, NY 10027
United States
212-678-3152 (Phone)
212-854-5935 (Fax)

Myeong-Su Yun

Inha University - Department of Economics ( email )

253 Yonghyun-dong
Nam-gu Incheon 402-751
+82 32 860-7779 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://sites.google.com/site/myeongsuyun

IZA Institute of Labor Economics

P.O. Box 7240
Bonn, D-53072
Germany

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