Work

Social integration of immigrants in cities: theory and evidence from the European Social Survey

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: We develop a model of social integration of immigrants in which both native individuals and immigrants decide whether to accept each other’s culture and norms. Whereas cultural acceptance leads to greater returns due to agglomeration economies, it also requires higher communication costs. We show conditions under which higher social integration of immigrants occurs in large cities and characterize the efficiency of an equilibrium. Our findings are supported by data from the European Social Survey.

Source: Japanese Economic Review

DOI: 10.1007/s42973-025-00215-7

Authors: Hiroyuki Matsuyama, Chigusa Okamoto, Yasuhiro Sato

Institutions: Chuo University, The University of Tokyo

Language: English

Topic: Migration, Refugees, and Integration

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,290