Overview

• The analysis drew on 13.5 million worker records across nine high-income countries to map immigrant pay disparities.
• First-generation migrants in Germany earn 19.6% less than native-born workers, and second-generation descendants still face a 7.7% shortfall.
• Spain and Canada record the largest first-generation gaps at 29.3% and 27.5%, while Sweden and Denmark have the narrowest at 7% and 9.2%.
• Limited entry into higher-paid industries, occupations and firms accounts for roughly three-quarters of the first-generation wage disparity in Germany.
• Authors call for expanded language training, streamlined recognition of foreign qualifications and broader professional networking to improve labor-market inclusion.