Educational Attainment and Labour Market Outcomes of Immigrants – Tertiary-educated foreign-born adults have lower earnings than tertiary-educated native-born ones, and their employment rates are consistently lower

Adult migrants in all OECD countries are a diverse group, with different profiles and levels of education. Even if they hold tertiary degrees, they are more likely to have poorer labour market outcomes, including lower earnings. Participation in the labour market is more difficult for foreign-born adults who arrived at a later age and acquired their qualifications in another country. It is important that host countries design and implement policies that will help immigrants improve their chances in their labour market, benefitting both the person and the country.

Main points

• In about half of OECD and partner countries, foreign-born adults are more likely to have a tertiary education than their native-born peers. This is particularly true in countries such as Australia, Canada and New Zealand whose selective migration policies are designed to attract highly educated and skilled migrants.
• In most countries, tertiary-educated foreign-born adults have lower earnings than tertiary-educated native-born ones, and their employment rates are consistently lower.
• Foreign-born young adults (15-29 year-olds) who arrived in the host country aged 16 or older are less likely to be in the education system or the labour market than those who arrived when they were younger.

Chosen excerpts by Job Market Monitor. Read the whole story at OECD iLibrary | How do the educational attainment and labour market outcomes of foreign-born adults compare to their native-born peers?