Couples migration decision and the labour market integration of spouses

Author:

Teresa Freitas Monteiro (IAB). Contact: Teresa.Freitas-Monteiro@iab.de

Abstract

This study looks into relationship between the driver of the decision to migrate with both the labour market integration and the household division of labour of migrant couples. Particularly, tit takes into account which partner migrated as tied mover and as a lead mover and how this might have different implications for the labour market integration of spouses. This study also considers the role of other factors such as institutionalization (e.g. children, marriage), reasons and timing of migration and pre-migration characteristics.

Data used:

IAB-SOEP-Migration Sample version XXX. ##Access the data. The data used in this study are not open access and cannot be shared freely. You will need to sign a contract with the data provider in order to obtain the raw data. For example, you can request the data from the IAB here. Once you have the raw data, you can replicate the results of my study using the dofiles on this platform. You will need the software STATA for that.

Description of the dataset

Organizations in charge: IAB and DIW. Population covered: Immigrants in Germany. Sample drawn from the IAB “Integrated Employment Biographies”, restricted to individuals who first appear in the data after 1994. Frequency of data collection: Yearly (Panel).

Samples:

M1 - survey from 2013 onwards.
M2- surved from 2015 onwards, comprises immigrants who arrived in Germany between 2010 and 2013.

Observations per wave.

Wave 1: 4964 Persons in 2723 Households.
Wave 2: 3752 Persons in 2021 Households.
Wave 3: 4770 Persons in 2768 Households.
Wave 4: 3832 Persons in 2155 Households.
Wave 5: 3408 Persons in 1913 Households.

Time reference:

Date of survey, migration biography retrospectively since first leave of country of birth, retrospective questions on life course.

The structure of the datasets is organised as the GSOEP from DIW Berlin.

Variables

Demographic Variables

Age
Gender
Country of Birth
Marital status
Children details
Household details

Year of immigration
migration history
search behaviour and information channels
social networks

Education history variables

highest obtained schooling and vocational degrees
years of schooling
education acquired at home and abroad
acknowledgement procedure of foreign credentials
language proficiency

Employment history variables

Employment (before and after migration)
self-employment
unemployment in Germany and in foreign countries

Labour market background

Earnings
full- and part-time employment
working hours
benefit assistance
reservation wage
participation in active labour market policies

Migration

Return migration intensions
Immigration year
return migration
limited survey of re-turned immigrants
Remittances to home countries

Miscellaneous

life satisfaction
risk preferences
social integration and acceptance

Replication files

Here you can provide files and guidance for replication.