This report seeks to answer the question of how and to what extent economic immigration meets the needs of the Spanish labour market that are not covered by domestic supply. Therefore, it is based on the assumption that one of the main roles of immigration is to cover labour shortages in the labour market. To respond to that question in this study we review the interplay between both factors (the labour market and immigration) between 2004 and 2009. This time frame covers two very different situations seen during the period: one, until 2007, featured by substantial economic growth and rates of participation in economic activity and of unemployment that were very close to the average for the EU, and the other, since 2008, with unemployment twice as high as the EU average. In methodological terms this Report is based on a review of statistical information, of immigration regulations, of various social and political factors at play during the period, and on some exploratory interviews.
Start date: 01/04/2010
Finish date: 01/12/2010
Financing: Ministerio de Trabajo e Inmigración. SecretarÃa de Estado de Inmigración y Emigración
Responsable researcher: Fausto Miguélez
Team: Óscar Molina
Documents and publications:
