Explaining Attitudes Towards Immigration: The Role of Economic Factors

In this article, we investigate the determinants of individuals’ opinions concerning economic impact immigrants. Unlike most previous studies, use a large sample 61 countries (Joint WVS/EVS 2017–2020 dataset) that are either net receivers or emitters migrants. Using multilevel model, test effect characteristics and several macroeconomic variables on assessment immigrants’ development. We highlight natives’ evaluation consequences immigration is more influenced by age, trust, education, income than contextual such as growth, inflation, inequalities, level, number immigrants in country. Our results match with hypothesis considered substitutes for low- medium-skilled workers capital-abundant countries. However, neither labour-market nor welfare-state considerations can be main drivers appraisals made about immigration. tend to confirm prediction greater contact reduces anti-immigrant opinions, particular skilled people. contrast, immigrant inflows lead people make worse judgments All all, our validate view education comprises major part cognitive role played economy, at least high-income