Southern Europe skilled migration into Mexico: the impact of the economic crisis

Abstract

The paper analyses the reasons why highly skilled immigrants from Italy and Spain migrate to Mexico and their patterns of incorporation into the country's workforce. Specifically, it explores the dynamics of local labour markets, possible niches for qualified workers, and the mechanisms granting immigrants access to technical and managerial posts in Mexico. Based on a comparative approach, it analyzes the similarities and differences between Italians and Spaniards in Mexico and compares flows before and during/after the 2008 economic crisis to see how relevant the crisis is to an understanding of current migration flows.