莫卡特斯中心-移民对创业和创新的影响（英文）-2021.5-23页_662kb

Summary of "The Effects of Immigration on Entrepreneurship and Innovation"

Core Content

This working paper by Robert Krol explores the relationship between immigration and economic growth, with a focus on entrepreneurship and innovation. It argues that immigration, particularly from high-skilled backgrounds, contributes positively to the US economy by fostering business startups, increasing employment, and promoting technological innovation.

Main Points

• Economic Growth and Innovation: Economic growth in advanced economies is primarily driven by innovation, which increases productivity, product variety, jobs, and wages.
• Immigrant Contribution to Innovation: Immigrants are more likely to be involved in innovative activities, such as patenting and starting new businesses, and are increasingly capturing a larger share of US patents.
• Entrepreneurship Among Immigrants: Immigrants tend to be more entrepreneurial than the average US citizen, with higher rates of business ownership and innovation. They are more willing to take risks and are disproportionately represented in high-tech industries.
• Immigrant Entrepreneurship Statistics: Immigrants account for a significant portion of US startups, especially in high-tech sectors. Studies show that they start more businesses per capita than native-born individuals.
• Immigrant Educational Background: The educational attainment of immigrants has shifted over time, with a growing proportion holding higher degrees, particularly in STEM fields. This shift is associated with increased innovation and entrepreneurship.
• Immigration Trends: The number of immigrants in the US has grown both in absolute terms and as a percentage of the population. The countries of origin have shifted from Europe to Asia and Latin America, and the share of high-skilled immigrants has increased.

Key Findings

• Immigration and Economic Growth: Higher levels of immigration are correlated with increased economic growth, driven by productive skills and innovation-related activities.
• Immigrant Startups and Employment: Immigrant startups contribute significantly to employment growth. In some states, first- and second-generation immigrants account for over 40% of new businesses.
• Immigrant Patent Share: The share of US patents held by immigrants has increased substantially over the past two decades. In 2015, Chinese and Indian names represented 10.4% and 7.3% of all US patents, respectively.
• Immigrant vs. Native Entrepreneurs: Immigrants are more likely to start businesses and are associated with higher innovation rates, including more patents and research and development activities.
• Collaboration and Spillover Effects: Research collaboration between immigrants and natives leads to productivity gains, with native inventors benefiting more from immigrant co-authors. Immigrant inventors bring diverse global knowledge and experience, enhancing innovation.
• Productivity and Wages: Immigrants, especially in STEM fields, are linked to productivity and wage increases in the US economy. Their complementary skills allow native workers to specialize and improve efficiency.
• Immigration and Creative Destruction: Increased immigration leads to more firm entry and exit, which is a sign of creative destruction and economic dynamism. This effect is observed across various US industrial sectors.

Conclusion

The paper concludes that immigration, especially from high-skilled and entrepreneurial backgrounds, has a positive impact on innovation and entrepreneurship in the US. Despite political controversy and differing public opinions, the empirical evidence supports the notion that immigrants contribute significantly to the economy, including through technological advancement and job creation. The net benefits of immigration are substantial, enhancing economic well-being for both immigrants and native-born populations.