Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/35302 
Year of Publication: 
2009
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 4109
Publisher: 
Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
This paper provides new evidence regarding public opinion on immigration by studying the Spanish case, and by analyzing not only respondents' preferences regarding immigration levels, but also regarding admittance policies and the rights and benefits to grant to foreigners. In general, Spaniards support less immigration, and more selectivity based on skills and qualifications, but not reduced rights and benefits for immigrants. Skilled natives have more positive attitudes about immigration, in spite of the potential fiscal burden it implies for them. Respondents believing that immigration drops natives' wages tended to oppose immigration and endorse reducing the benefits and rights granted to immigrants. More negative attitudes were found among individuals who dislike other races, while the opposite was found for those valuing cultural diversity. Catholic respondents favor more restrictive admission policies, in particular ones based on cultural factors. Respondents in provinces with high immigration and a high proportion of Moroccans wanted lower levels of immigration, though having contact with immigrants reduces the negative attitudes toward them. Individuals overestimating the levels of immigration are more prone to have negative attitudes toward immigrants.
Subjects: 
International migration
immigration preferences
JEL: 
F22
J61
Persistent Identifier of the first edition: 
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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