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Title: Occupational Diversity of immigrants in the United States

Citation Type: Journal Article

Publication Year: 2012

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Abstract: This paper employs IPUMS United States Census data to study the occupational distribution of immigrants between 1850 and 2000. Examining occupational diversity is crucial to understanding how immigrants adjust to a host economy and affect growth. I use occupations as a way of measuring assimilation. I analyze whether or not the spread of immigrants across occupations looks like the spread of natives over time. To do this, I create a unique measure of diversity based on the fractionalization index. I construct occupational diversity indices for each immigrant group and decade. Results from a case study examination indicate that relative occupational diversity has increased over time as immigrants have a greater ability to enter a wide array of occupations. I use empirical models to show that a positive relationship exists between relative occupational diversity and the immigrant to native ratio.

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Authors: Tubridy, Colleen

Periodical (Full): Colgate Academic Review

Issue: 1

Volume: 7

Pages: 109-134

Data Collections: IPUMS USA

Topics: Labor Force and Occupational Structure, Migration and Immigration

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