Migrants' skills: Use, mismatch and labour market outcomes – A first exploration of the International Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC)

Abstract

The purpose of this chapter is to explore the newly available Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC) to provide a detailed picture of migrants’ literacy and numeracy skills and how they compare with those of natives, and how they are utilised and valued in the labour market. The chapter provides a description of the Survey of Adult Skills and the differences between migrants and natives in terms of their literacy and numeracy proficiency levels. A discussion follows on the extent to which language and foreign qualifications explain part of such differences. Moreover, the chapter analyses the labour market outcomes (employment, incidence of overqualification and wages) of migrants relative to natives and discusses how these differ across migrant groups as well as the role played by literacy proficiency and other relevant factors. The analysis of wages pays special attention to the returns to schooling, literacy and numeracy proficiency as well to professional experience, distinguishing between the experience acquired abroad and that acquired in the host country. The chapter concludes by summarising the main findings and their relevance for policy and makes proposals for future work.