Language Acquisition, Employment Status, and the Earnings of Jewish and Non-Jewish Immigrants in Israel

Barry R. Chiswick, Uzi Rebhun, Nadia Beider

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

This article analyses the Hebrew language proficiency, probability of employment, and labour market earnings of immigrants in Israel. It uses the 2010/11 Immigrant Absorption Survey conducted by the Israeli CBS. In addition to standard immigration, demographic, and human capital variables, the analysis includes unique features: the study of long-duration immigrants, analyses of males’ and females’ primary reasons for immigration, the subsidized intensive Hebrew language training programme, Ethiopian Jews, and Jewish and non-Jewish immigrants from the Former Soviet Union. Results from multivariate analyses largely accord with the “standard theoretical model” of language proficiency regarding the mechanisms of “exposure”, “efficiency”, and “economic incentives”. Acquaintance with the local language increases the likelihood of being employed and has positive earnings outcomes. We discuss implications of the findings for public policy which can improve the adjustment of these new immigrants to their new society, hence also moderate inter-group tensions.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)205-232
Number of pages28
JournalInternational Migration
Volume58
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Apr 2020

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 The Authors. International Migration © 2019 IOM

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