Immigration and Public Attitudes towards Social Assistance: Evidence from Hong Kong

Immigration and Public Attitudes towards Social Assistance: Evidence from Hong Kong
Yang, Shen, Bo Miao and Alfred M. Wu
The paper investigates the puzzling phenomenon of why Hong Kong citizens have much lower support for increasing spending on social assistance when all other welfare programs have been favored by local residents. With a random sampling survey, we find that citizens’ support towards raising the requirement of immigration is negatively correlated with their support for social assistance (the CSSA scheme). This study highlights that the perception of “who benefits” will influence citizens’ support for welfare spending. The Hong Kong story enriches the debate about the impact of citizens’ attitudes towards immigration on welfare spending against a backdrop of deglobalization and anti-immigration.

Publication date

1 Jan 2022 – 30 Nov 2022

Journal title, volume/issue number, page range

Journal of Economic Policy Reform

ISSN

1748-7870

Specialisation

Social Sciences

Theme

International Relations and Politics
Society
Diasporas and Migration