1. The Greek Immigration Experience Revisited.
- Author
-
Lyberaki, Antigone
- Subjects
- *
EMIGRATION & immigration , *IMMIGRANTS , *INTERNATIONAL economic integration , *BOTTLENECKS (Manufacturing) , *LABOR supply , *AGRICULTURAL industries , *ECONOMIC development , *ECONOMIC history - Abstract
Over the past two decades, Greece, along with other Southern EU member states, has experienced a transformation from a net emigration to a net destination country. This paper attempts to provide an assessment of the economic costs and benefits of the recent immigration flows into Greece. Based on a closer examination of the economic arguments it is argued that Greece's recent immigration experience can be seen as a win-win story both for the host economy and the immigrants themselves. In particular, ample evidence suggests that immigrants offered a solution to the chronic labor shortages in agriculture, while their presence provided also answers to long-standing growth impediments (bottlenecks) of the Greek economy. At the same time, the majority of immigrants managed to improve their lot and to integrate in the receiving society. However, this positive overall assessment is at odds with prevailing attitudes and political perceptions which give far greater emphasis to negative features than is warranted by economic considerations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2008
- Full Text
- View/download PDF