Trajectories of incorporation and the socioeconomic status of immigrants in Spain during the economic crisis: The case of the Basque Country

Abstract

Spain has experienced a major social transformation, which is the result of immigration. This article looks at the differences that occur in their trajectories of incorporation, taking into consideration the socioeconomic, migratory and legal variables. The results show the social stratification of the immigrant group and the differences in terms of internal inequality. Furthermore, it has been noted that while in a period of economic boom, human capital was the most important factor in explaining a rising incorporation, in the period of recession, duration of stay is the crucial variable, not so much for a rising incorporation, but to maintain the same socioeconomic status.