The Economic Performance of Immigrants: A Longitudinal Analysis of Earnings Mobility in Denmark and Germany

Stefanie Brodmann, Universitat Pompeu Fabra

The aim of this paper is to assess the factors that influence the earnings mobility of immigrants and natives in Denmark and Germany. If immigrants' earnings are lower than natives' at the time of arrival to the host country and we consider upward earnings mobility as a sign of catching up (and assimilation?), then immigrants should be more mobile than comparable natives. Both the structure of the labor market and the educational system are expected to considerably influence immigrants' economic performance and mobility in the two countries studied.