Job Demand Shapes Public Views on Immigration

New Study Reveals Key Factors in Public Perception of Immigration

A recent study has uncovered an interesting insight into how the public perceives immigration, suggesting that job demand may be just as significant as the skill level required for a particular role. This finding challenges traditional assumptions about the factors that influence attitudes toward immigrants.

The research, published in the Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, involved a collaborative effort from researchers at several universities across the globe, including the Universities of Southampton, Strathclyde, Amsterdam, Essex, Glasgow, Brunel, Kobe, and Waseda. Their work aimed to understand how different aspects of job roles impact public opinion on immigration.

According to Professor Jason Reifler, a co-author from the University of Southampton, "In sectors facing acute labor shortages, public resistance to immigration may be lower than is commonly assumed." He added that the findings challenge the idea that skill level alone dictates how people feel about immigrants.

Understanding the Research Methodology

To gather insights, the research team surveyed a representative sample of 646 people in England and 1,501 people in Japan. Both countries face similar challenges, such as low birth rates and worker shortages. However, the way immigration is handled differs significantly between the two nations. In England, immigration is a highly debated topic, while in Japan, it has been deliberately downplayed by political leaders.

Participants were presented with various hypothetical profiles of immigrants and asked whether they should be granted a visa to come and work in the country. The profiles included high-skill high-demand occupations, such as doctors or computer programmers, lower-skill low-demand jobs, like telemarketers or retail salespeople, and positions where the skill level did not match the demand.

Survey Results and Insights

The survey results showed that citizens would grant visas to close to 70% of high-skilled migrants in both countries. Support for lower-skill migrants fell to the low to mid-60s in Japan and mid-50s in England. Similarly, granting visas to those in high-demand occupations was near 70% in both countries, with support dropping for low-demand professions.

High-skilled high-demand workers received the most support overall, while lower-skill low-demand workers received the least. Interestingly, lower-skill high-demand workers had slightly higher levels of support than high-skill low-demand workers.

Professor Thomas Scotto from the University of Strathclyde, another co-author, noted that "In England, occupation was far more of a factor in granting a visa than country of origin." He also mentioned that support is much lower for migrants approaching retirement age. Additionally, those with higher trust, left-leaning ideology, and a degree generally showed greater support, but the overall pattern regarding skill and labor market demand remained consistent across all groups.

Implications for Public Debate

Riku Kawakami, a recent graduate from the University of Glasgow and co-author of the paper, stated that "The results reveal a more nuanced picture than often presented in the media and show that a public debate about immigration doesn't have to be as contentious as it has become in England or remain 'in the shadows' as it has in Japan."

This study provides valuable insights into how public perception of immigration can be influenced by factors beyond just the skill level of the individual. It suggests that addressing labor shortages through targeted immigration policies could lead to more positive public attitudes.

For more information, you can refer to the full study titled "Who gets in? A conjoint analysis of labour market demand and immigration preferences in England and Japan" published in the Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies. The research offers a fresh perspective on how immigration policies can be shaped to better align with public sentiment and labor market needs.