Economics Research featured in ESRC

The research is based on administrative data covering all labour immigrants to the Netherlands in the period 1999-2007. The research shows that unemployment clearly increases the probability of immigrants to return to their home countries. This finding holds true regardless of whether the immigrants are from 'old' or 'new' EU member states, from more developed countries, or from less developed countries.

The researchers conclude that their findings "challenge the perception that labour immigrants are attracted by the generosity of the welfare state in the Netherlands since almost half of recent labour immigrants leave if they experience unemployment".

For more information visit:

• ESRC - Impacts & Findings
• CPC Briefing Paper 1: Does unemployment cause return migration? 
• NORFACE Discussion Paper 2011-7: The Impact of Labour Market Dynamics on the Return-Migration of Immigrants