Unregistered work among refugees: Evidence from a list experiment in Germany

Arbeitspapier

The integration of refugees in host countries' labor markets is complicated by structural barriers, missing formal qualification and language deficiencies. This leads to widespread concern that refugees may end up in informal and precarious employment relationships. Empirical evidence on the prevalence of unregistered work is missing, however, due to the sensitive and illegal nature of this phenomenon. In this paper, we conduct a list experiment to measure unregistered work among refugees in Germany. Our results indicate that 31% have had experience with an unregistered job since their arrival. Refugees who report that they do not have work permission show a significantly higher likelihood of experiencing unregistered work. Furthermore, the lack of post-secondary education and vocational degrees, and a low German proficiency predict the risk to work without registration.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: WWZ Working Paper ; No. 2022/01

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Informal Labor Markets ; Geographic Labor Mobility; Immigrant Workers ; Survey Methods; Sampling Methods
• Subject: Unregistered work ; Informal employment ; List experiment ; Refugees ; Germany ; Survey experiment

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Doerr, Annabelle ; Hartmann, Carina ; Sajons, Christoph
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): University of Basel, Center of Business and Economics (WWZ)
• (where): Basel
• (when): 2022

Further information

• DOI: doi:10.5451/unibas-ep86290
• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/261066
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:46 AM CET