: The 1.5 Immigrant Generation in Spain. Has the Employment Crisis Affected them in a Similar Way as the First Generation?

Abstract

This article focuses on the 1.5 generation immigrants in Spain, i.e. those who arrived at age 12 or earlier. Using data from the Spanish Labor Force Survey (LFS), we analyze the probability of being unemployed during the economic recession period. Results suggest that the 1.5 generation has a higher risk of being unemployed, although this risk decreases when accounting for sociodemographic characteristics. As time in the labor market increases, 1.5 generation immigrants manage to reverse their initial disadvantage with respect to the first generation, and close the gap with natives. Results indicate that, compared to first generation immigrants, the 1.5 generation group requires more time to find a job, although they compensate for this initial employment disadvantage by securing better positions. Thus, unlike the first generation immigrants, they have greater returns to years in the labor market, which also result in higher employment protection.