NYC Gazette

Columbia Business School research reveals that economic hardships experienced in formative years can impact attitudes toward immigration and government redistribution later in life.

New York, NY — Immigration is emerging as a major policy concern as the United States prepares for the 2024 presidential election, according to a new Harvard CAPS-Harris poll. However, new data shows that views on immigration may be shaped by more than just political party affiliation.

In a study conducted by Columbia Business School Professor Stephan Meier, along with Erasmus University Rotterdam Professor Robert Dur and King’s College London Professor Maria Cotofan, it was found that individuals who experience a recession during their formative years (ages 18-25) are more likely to harbor anti-immigration attitudes that persist into old age.

The research, titled "Does Growing Up in Economic Hard Times Increase Compassion? The Case of Attitudes Towards Immigration," indicates that economic conditions during one's youth can significantly impact beliefs about immigration and government reallocation. Meier and his co-authors discovered that individuals growing up in favorable economic conditions are more supportive of relaxed immigration policies, as their experience in economic prosperity correlates with more compassionate policy views.

Contrary to previous literature, which suggested that economic hardship would make people more supportive of immigration, the study reveals that economic difficulties can actually breed hostility toward immigration. This is because an influx of people and the potential strain on government resources could lead to a reduction in an individual's income.

The researchers analyzed over 13,000 respondents' answers from the General Social Survey between 1994 and 2016, focusing on Americans' perspectives on immigration. By matching respondents’ answers with data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and examining global views on immigration, the team was able to create a measure of macroeconomic conditions during individuals' formative years.

Professor Meier's work sheds light on the intricate relationship between economic experiences during youth and attitudes toward immigration later in life. As the United States faces the ongoing challenge of immigration, it becomes evident that American viewpoints on the issue are closely linked to the economic conditions of the past.

For more information on cutting-edge research conducted at Columbia Business School, visit their website.

Stephan Meier, the lead researcher on the study, is the James P. Gorman Professor of Business at Columbia Business School. He holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Zurich and has a background in behavioral strategy.

Columbia University in the City of New York can be contacted at 665 West 130th Street, New York, NY 10027, or by phone at 212-854-1100.