Eine neue US-Studie legt nahe, dass die Einwanderung hochqualifizierter Fachkräfte das regionale Unternehmertum fördert. Wenn sich die Zahl der hochqualifizierten Einwanderer in einer Metropolregion verdoppelt, steigt das Unternehmertum in dieser Region innerhalb von drei Jahren um 6 %.

I’ve linked to the news release in the post above. In this comment, for those interested, here’s the link to the peer reviewed journal article:

High-skilled immigration enhances regional entrepreneurship

https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2402001121

A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences highlights a significant relationship between high-skilled immigration and regional entrepreneurship in the United States. By analyzing newly awarded H-1B visas, the researchers found that when the number of high-skilled immigrants in a metropolitan area doubles, entrepreneurship in that region increases by 6% within three years. These findings suggest that policies promoting high-skilled immigration could boost regional economic growth by fostering new business creation.

The results showed a clear positive relationship between the arrival of high-skilled immigrants and regional entrepreneurship. The researchers found that a doubling of H-1B immigrants in an MSA led to a 6% increase in the number of new businesses within three years. This effect was observed even after accounting for the quality of entrepreneurship, indicating that high-skilled immigrants not only contribute to the quantity of startups but also help increase the number of high-potential ventures.

One of the study’s key findings was that this positive effect on entrepreneurship was only observed for new high-skilled immigrants. Continuing H-1B visa holders, who were already living and working in the United States, did not have a significant impact on regional entrepreneurship.

Similarly, the arrival of unskilled immigrants on H-2B visas, who typically work in temporary non-agricultural jobs, did not contribute to increases in entrepreneurship. These results highlight the specific role that new high-skilled immigrants play in driving regional economic dynamism, rather than the broader immigrant population.

I feel like all these studies and their dissemination is presented for political purposes. I don’t know what causes this correlation, but couldn’t it be because skilled immigrants take jobs from skilled citizens, pushing them to become “Entrepreneurs?” Now, maybe economists would not be put off if that were the case, but I think the rest of us might think there are better ways to support innovation.