On the Economics and Politics of Refugee Migration

66 Pages Posted: 1 Oct 2016 Last revised: 16 Apr 2023

See all articles by Christian Dustmann

Christian Dustmann

University College London; Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS); Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR)

Francesco Fasani

Queen Mary, University of London

Tommaso Frattini

University of Milan - Centro Studi Luca d'Agliano (LdA); University of Milan - Department of Economics, Business and Statistics

Luigi Minale

Charles III University of Madrid

Uta Schönberg

University of Rochester; IZA Institute of Labor Economics

Multiple version iconThere are 4 versions of this paper

Abstract

This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of refugee migration, with emphasis on the current refugee crisis. After first reviewing the institutional framework laid out by the Geneva Convention for Refugees, we demonstrate that, despite numerous attempts at developing a common European asylum policy, EU countries continue to differ widely in interpretation and implementation. We then describe key features of the current refugee crisis and document the overall magnitudes and types of refugee movements, illegal border crossings, and asylum applications to EU member states.We next turn to the economics of refugee migrations, contrasting economic and refugee migrants, discussing the trade-offs between long-term asylum and temporary protection, and highlighting the economic advantages of increasingly coordinating the different national asylum policies. Finally, we illustrate the economic integration of past refugee migrants to EU countries and conclude with several policy recommendations.

Keywords: refugee crisis, asylum seekers, asylum policy

JEL Classification: F22, J15, J61

Suggested Citation

Dustmann, Christian and Fasani, Francesco and Frattini, Tommaso and Minale, Luigi and Schönberg, Uta, On the Economics and Politics of Refugee Migration. IZA Discussion Paper No. 10234, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2846325 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2846325

Christian Dustmann (Contact Author)

University College London ( email )

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Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS)

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Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR)

London
United Kingdom

Francesco Fasani

Queen Mary, University of London ( email )

Tommaso Frattini

University of Milan - Centro Studi Luca d'Agliano (LdA) ( email )

Via P. Amedeo 34
Milano, Mi 20122
Italy

University of Milan - Department of Economics, Business and Statistics ( email )

Via Festa del Perdono, 7
Milan, 20122
Italy

Luigi Minale

Charles III University of Madrid ( email )

CL. de Madrid 126
Madrid, 28903
Spain

Uta Schönberg

University of Rochester ( email )

Rochester, NY 14627
United States

IZA Institute of Labor Economics

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

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