Graduation Year
2012
Publication Date
Spring 2012
Embargo Period
4-19-2012
Abstract
Asian Americans are often referred to as the “model minority” due to perceptions of their high income and educational attainment; yet relatively little is known about their economic assimilation experience. The purpose of this study is to determine economic assimilation of Chinese immigrants over time. This research follows a cohort of Chinese immigrants from 1994 to 2011 and compares their earnings performance with natives that have similar educational attainment. Multiple regression analysis is used to analyze data from the Current Population Survey. Results show that, although the cohort of Chinese immigrants initially has earnings substantially lower than the natives, it is only about 10 years before they reach income parity. By 2011, Chinese immigrants’ earnings exceed natives’ earnings by about 4 percent. The study concludes that despite the language and adjustment challenges, Chinese immigrants do show rapid economic assimilation in the United States.
Disciplines
Economics
Recommended Citation
Wu, Yujie, "Economic Assimilation of Chinese Immigrants in the United States: Is There Wage Convergence with Natives?" (2012). Honors Projects. 118.
https://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/econ_honproj/118