International migration and economic participation in small towns and rural areas – cross-national evidence

Abstract

This paper analyses the neglected labour market experiences of international migrants to non-metropolitan areas, mainly drawing on the evidence of a large, cross-national research project on immigration, as well as on other available research evidence. By examining migrants’ employment experiences in four different countries – Canada, the USA, Ireland and Scotland – we are able to discuss key themes and consider them from a comparative perspective. The focus here is on the frequent occurrence of different forms of underemployment of rural migrants; issues around pay and working conditions; and the importance of welcoming communities.