Labor Mobility and Migration: Factors, Impacts, Spain

Types of Labor Mobility

• Change of company without change of residence (Geographic Immobility).
• Change of occupation without change of business or residence (Functional Mobility).
• Change of employment and enterprise without changing residence.
• Change of residence without a change of occupation or business (Geographic Mobility).
• Change of residence and business/occupation (Migration).

Determinants of Migration

• Income differences per person.
• Wage differentials between jobs.
• Overall and sector-specific unemployment rates.
• Family ties.
• Level of education.
• Age and sex.
• Distance between origin and destination.
• Language.
• Benefits (e.g., social welfare).

Consequences of Migration

• Increase in migrants' revenues.
• Reduction of wage differentials between origin and destination.
• Increase in the real product at the destination.
• Reduction in real output at the origin.
• Increase in corporate profits at the destination.
• Reduced level of benefits per person at the destination.
• Potential for xenophobic behavior at the destination.
• Increase in foreign currency reserves at the origin (e.g., remittances).

Capital, Markets, and Migration Impacts

• Movement of capital from developed to developing countries may reduce migration.
• Movement of capital from underdeveloped to developed countries may increase migration.
• Imports of goods and services from developed countries may reduce migration.
• Mobility of natural resources from underdeveloped to developed countries may spur migration.

Migration Policies and Regulation

• Regulation of migration flows to adjust labor supply and demand.
• Prevention of illegal migration.
• Policies to avoid excessive wage reduction at the destination.
• Preventing employers from hindering employee movement.
• Maintaining state tax revenues.
• Controlling the increasing demand for universalized social services.
• Neutralizing xenophobic behavior.

Immigration in Spain: Trends and Characteristics

Rapid growth from the 1990s. Primarily economic migration, often young and male. Geographic concentration within Spain and concentration by country of origin. Average academic training levels. Significant presence of irregular immigrants.

Strong concentration by country of origin and destination province. Significant increase from 2005, stabilizing around 2008. Higher activity, employment, and unemployment rates compared to Spanish nationals. Diverse sectors of activity with gender differences compared to Spanish nationals. Increased employment in construction, hospitality, domestic work, trade, and agriculture. High horizontal labor mobility.

Average training levels, with differences by origin. Accumulated work experience in Spain. Higher incidence of underemployment, especially among women. Lower labor mobility observed among men. Continued presence of irregular status.

No negative impact on the working conditions of Spanish nationals. Immigrants often occupy less senior positions, which does not reduce opportunities for Spanish nationals to move into higher job categories.