The Well-Being of Moroccan Immigrants in Spain: A Composite Indicator

Abstract

This article studies the dimensions that influence the well-being of Moroccan immigrants in Spain. In a first step, we build a composite indicator of immigrant well-being following the theoretical model by Bosswick and Heckmann (Integration and access to social rights of migrants: the contribution of local and regional authorities. Conceptual Framework Draft, Bamberg, 2006. https://www.eurofound.europa.eu/sites/default/files/ef_publication/field_ef_document/ef0622en.pdf) and adapted according to the methodological recommendations of the International Organization for Migration (IOM in Migration in the 2030 agenda, 2013. http://publications.iom.int/system/files/pdf/migration_in_the_2030_agenda.pdf). The dimensions of the index are cultural well-being, structural well-being, community well-being and subjective well-being. In a second step, we consider this index as a dependent variable of immigrant-related social and economic characteristics. Results show that immigrants’ well-being is related to the way they reached the country, the reasons they came, whether they arrived before or after the crisis, and their region of residence in Spain. The results underline the importance of local policies fostering Moroccan integration to increase immigrants’ well-being.