How Long Does it Take to Integrate? Employment Convergence of Immigrants and Natives in Sweden.

This study examines employment convergence between immigrants and natives, by gender and region of origin, using data with annual information (1990-2000) on more than 200,000 individuals of which over 19,000 were born abroad. Duration of residence is found to have a significant effect on employment chances up to and including the first 25 years in Sweden but with greater explanatory power for East- and non-European immigrants. Assuming homogeneous human capital and time effects, immigrant groups with over twenty years residency continue to show a significant employment gap to natives. No notable gender differences in employment convergence patterns are found.