Immigration and the welfare state in Spain

Abstract

This paper studies the relationships between immigration and the welfare state in Spain from a triple perspective. First, the role social benefits may have had on the Spanish immigrant experience as a pull factor is analysed. The paper goes on to study the way immigration can affect the maintenance of the welfare state, investigating both the possible effects of the increased ethnic, linguistic and cultural diversity on the support of the national population for the welfare state, as well as its effect on social spending in terms of monetary and health benefits. Lastly, and changing perspective, the contribution of immigration to the maintenance of the private market for welfare services is assessed, especially in terms of caring for dependents.

Keywords

• Spain
• Welfare state
• Health
• Immigration
• Social benefits