E.g., 06/08/2026
E.g., 06/08/2026
Labor Market Impacts

Labor Market Impacts

_LaborMarketImpacts

Economic theory suggests that the impact of immigration overall on the economy is likely to be small and for any negative effects to dissipate over the longer term as the economy adjusts to a larger labor supply. The research collected here examines the labor market impacts of immigration, including how immigrant and native-born workers fare over time, as well as how their skill levels, countries of origin, gender, and other characteristics affect their outcomes in the workforce.

Recent Activity

Cover image for Rooted in the Valley
Reports
May 2026
By  Valerie Lacarte, Michael Fix and Allison Rutland
People walk in front of Tower Bridge in London.
Articles
The skyline of Singapore
Articles
A graduation ceremony at the University of Delaware.
Articles
Cover image for How Can Labor Migration Policies Help Tackle Europe’s Looming Skills Crisis?
Reports
June 2025
By  Kate Hooper, Tesseltje de Lange and Jasmijn Slootjes
Canadians welcome Syrian refugees to Toronto.
Articles
Venezuelans crossing into Colombia.
Articles
Cover image for Rooted in the Valley
Reports
May 2026
By  Valerie Lacarte, Michael Fix and Allison Rutland
Cover image for How Can Labor Migration Policies Help Tackle Europe’s Looming Skills Crisis?
Reports
June 2025
By  Kate Hooper, Tesseltje de Lange and Jasmijn Slootjes
Cover image for Bridging the Gap between the Gig Economy and Migration Policy
Policy Briefs
July 2024
By  Colleen Putzel-Kavanaugh and Meghan Benton
Cover image for Converging Crises
Reports
March 2024
By  Luisa Feline Freier, Andrea Kvietok and Leon Lucar Oba
People walk in front of Tower Bridge in London.

UK immigration policy has often followed public mood on the issue. While attitudes have remained generally steady, the issue’s salience—how important people feel it to be—has risen and fallen, often in response to major news coverage or periods of highly visible migration. This article describes how UK labor migration policies have followed public attitude since 2010.

The skyline of Singapore

With limited land, low fertility, and a changing economy, Singapore has long depended on immigration to grow its labor force and global competitiveness while preserving national identity. This country profile examines how the nation has managed migration-related challenges in adapting to shifting demographic, economic, and political pressures.

A graduation ceremony at the University of Delaware.

Worldwide, more international students head to the United States than any other country. These students contribute billions of dollars to the U.S. economy and account for about 6 percent of U.S. college and university enrollment, but trends may be changing amid new U.S. restrictions and a shifting global landscape. This article offers data about international students enrolled in U.S. higher education.

Canadians welcome Syrian refugees to Toronto.

Canada has long been viewed as a global leader in creating welcoming immigration policies. But amid pressures on housing and services, as well as a surge in admission of temporary migrants, most Canadians now say there is too much immigration. With the government lowering its targets for new arrivals, this country profile examines the factors behind Canada's policy evolution.

Venezuelans crossing into Colombia.

While most Colombians say the influx of migrants from Venezuela over the past decade harms their country, this opinion does not necessarily lead to support for more immigration restrictions. As this article shows, attitudes are more nuanced, and many Colombians blame the government and employers for perceived harms resulting from immigration, rather than immigrants themselves.

Image of parents posing with daughter
Short Reads
November 2024
By  Jeanne Batalova, Michael Fix and Julia Gelatt
Image of female worker at the Boqueria market in Barcelona making a crepe
Short Reads
March 2024
By  Anna Terrón Cusí and Andrew Selee
Photo of a teacher from Ukraine organizing activities for refugee children in Moldova
Short Reads
February 2023
By  Hanne Beirens, Lucía Salgado and Jasmijn Slootjes
_DREAMer
Short Reads
December 2017
By  Jeanne Batalova and Michael Fix
_DutchElections
Short Reads
March 2017
By  Demetrios G. Papademetriou and Natalia Banulescu-Bogdan
Brexit ThreeFishSleeping Flickr
Short Reads
June 2016
By  Will Somerville
Collection of illustrations related to finance, business, and people working together
Explainers
October 2024

The question of whether immigration represents a net cost or a net benefit to the U.S. economy has been a major source of contention, even as the research literature and thinking among economists has been quite clear. A strong body of research and consensus by most economists finds that immigration, on balance, is a net positive for the U.S. economy. This explainer walks through the issues.

Expert Q&A, Audio
June 5, 2025

Labor shortages are increasingly driving some countries to look outside their borders for workers. Can labor mobility be managed in a way that benefits workers, employers, countries of origin, and countries of destination alike? This World of Migration episode focuses on India and the implications of large-scale emigration for its economic advancement.

The World Is Going Greener. What Role Can Immigrants Play?
Expert Q&A, Audio
December 12, 2024

Many countries need more workers to fill jobs in clean energy and other sectors that are critical in the fight against climate change. In this episode of our podcast Changing Climate, Changing Migration, Migration Policy Institute senior policy analyst Kate Hooper discusses the role immigrants can play.

Expert Q&A, Audio
May 2, 2024

The Ethiopian government has pledged to increase access to education and employment for refugees, most of whom live in camps. There have been ups and downs along the way. This episode explores the key trends.

Farmers working in a maize field framed with avocado plants in the village of San Lorenzo
Video
June 21, 2022

On this webinar, speakers discuss the main challenges faced by countries of origin and destination in ensuring mutual benefits through labor migration and strategies moving forward related to migration and development in Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras. 

Image of worker in corn field, checking corn
Video, Audio
June 14, 2022

Este seminario web, que presenta el lanzamiento de un informe, examina el potencial de Canadá, México y Costa Rica para expandir los programas de trabajadores temporales para los centroamericanos, ofreciendo un medio importante para convertir algunos flujos irregulares en flujos legales.

Recent Activity

Reports
May 2026

In Napa Valley, a world-famous wine-growing region, agriculture and manufacturing are major aspects of the regional economy. They are also sectors that have long relied on immigrant labor. This report examines the characteristics and economic contributions of Napa County’s immigrant residents and workers.

Articles

UK immigration policy has often followed public mood on the issue. While attitudes have remained generally steady, the issue’s salience—how important people feel it to be—has risen and fallen, often in response to major news coverage or periods of highly visible migration. This article describes how UK labor migration policies have followed public attitude since 2010.

Articles

With limited land, low fertility, and a changing economy, Singapore has long depended on immigration to grow its labor force and global competitiveness while preserving national identity. This country profile examines how the nation has managed migration-related challenges in adapting to shifting demographic, economic, and political pressures.

Articles

Worldwide, more international students head to the United States than any other country. These students contribute billions of dollars to the U.S. economy and account for about 6 percent of U.S. college and university enrollment, but trends may be changing amid new U.S. restrictions and a shifting global landscape. This article offers data about international students enrolled in U.S. higher education.

Reports
June 2025

European employers are increasingly reporting difficulties finding workers with the right mix of skills, in sectors ranging from health care to information and communications technology. Alongside investments in workforce training and reskilling, a more joined-up EU approach to attracting and admitting immigrant workers with in-demand skills could help European societies address these shortages, as this report describes.

Articles

Canada has long been viewed as a global leader in creating welcoming immigration policies. But amid pressures on housing and services, as well as a surge in admission of temporary migrants, most Canadians now say there is too much immigration. With the government lowering its targets for new arrivals, this country profile examines the factors behind Canada's policy evolution.

Expert Q&A, Audio
June 5, 2025

Labor shortages are increasingly driving some countries to look outside their borders for workers. Can labor mobility be managed in a way that benefits workers, employers, countries of origin, and countries of destination alike? This World of Migration episode focuses on India and the implications of large-scale emigration for its economic advancement.

Articles

While most Colombians say the influx of migrants from Venezuela over the past decade harms their country, this opinion does not necessarily lead to support for more immigration restrictions. As this article shows, attitudes are more nuanced, and many Colombians blame the government and employers for perceived harms resulting from immigration, rather than immigrants themselves.