Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/20708 
Year of Publication: 
2004
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 1410
Publisher: 
Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
European Union economies are pressed by (i) a demographic change that induces population ageing and a decline of the workforce, and (ii) a split labour market that is characterized by high levels of unemployment for low-skilled people and a simultaneous shortage of skilled workers. This lack of flexible high-skilled workers and the ageing process has created the image of an immobile labour force and the eurosklerosis phenomenon. In such a situation, an economically motivated immigration policy at the European level can generate welfare improvements. A selective policy that discourages unskilled migrants and attracts skilled foreign workers will vitalize the labour market, foster growth and increase demand for unskilled native workers. The paper summarizes the available economic insights, and suggests (i) the need to harmonize the single-country migration policies across Europe and (ii) that the European Union needs to become an active player on the international labour markets.
Subjects: 
labour mobility
migration
skilled migration
unskilled migration
migration policy
integration policy
JEL: 
F22
J82
J61
J68
J21
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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