Working Paper: CEPR ID: DP5102
Authors: Thomas Bauer; Mathias Sinning
Abstract: This paper examines the relative savings position of migrant households in West Germany, paying particular attention to differences between temporary and permanent migrants. Utilizing household level data from the German Socio-Economic Panel (GSOEP), our findings reveal significant differences in the savings rates between foreign-born and German-born individuals. These differences disappear, however, for temporary migrants, if their remittances are taken into account. Fixed effects estimations of the determinants of immigrants? savings rates reveal that intended return migration does not only affect remittances, but also the savings rate of migrant households in the host country. The results of a decomposition analysis indicate that differences in the savings rate between Germans and foreigners can mainly be attributed to differences in observable characteristics. We do not find strong evidence for an adjustment of the savings rate between immigrants and natives over time, indicating deficits in the long-term integration of permanent migrants in Germany.
Keywords: migration; savings
JEL Codes: C24; E21; F22
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| migration status (F22) | savings rates (D14) |
| remittances (temporary migrants) (F24) | savings behavior (D14) |
| intended return migration (F22) | remittances (F24) |
| intended return migration (F22) | savings behavior (D14) |
| observable characteristics (C90) | savings rates (D14) |
| foreign-born (F22) | savings rates (D14) |