Wealth in Two Ethnic Groups: The Role of Internal Migration Background

Authors

• Jan Saarela

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23979/fypr.45026

Keywords:

ethnic groups, wealth, internal migration background

Abstract

This paper studies wealth within an area of Finland that is settled by two ethnic
groups: Finnish speakers and Swedish speakers. They are equal and similar in most
observable respects, but differ greatly on internal migration background. Most of the
Swedish speakers were born in the area, whereas many of the Finnish speakers have
migrated into it from other parts of the country. The primary aim of the paper is to
analyse whether this differential is interrelated with potential wealth variation. Data
covering the years 1991 to 1999 reveal that the Swedish speakers have substantially
higher wealth levels than the Finnish speakers, and that variation in economic wellbeing interrelates with whether or not the person was born in the present region of
residence. The results suggest that failures in economic assimilation, as discussed in
the international migration literature, may be found also when studying people who
differ on internal migration background.