Paths to success of Israeli immigrants from different countries of origin

Abstract

This study is a case study of paths of success across different immigrant groups in the same national context. It investigated dimensions of immigrants' success and explored paths of success of immigrants from different countries of origin. Two main dimensions of immigrants’ success were outlined: economic success and psychological well-being, when the latter included 'sense of belonging' and 'life satisfaction'. An instrument measuring both dimensions of success was developed. The study was based on data from the 2011 Immigrant Survey completed by a representative sample of the immigrant population in Israel, including 2927 immigrants from the Former Soviet Union, Asia & Africa, Europe & America, and Ethiopia. Structural Equation Modeling were used to generate the model of immigrants' success. The main paths of success were outlined. The path of the low-skilled visible minority contrasted with the path of other, more highly skilled groups of immigrants who resembled the local majority population to a greater degree.Understanding factors shaping the success of immigrants from different countries of origin might be used by policymakers to foster immigrants' economic and psychological well-being.