What does sociological research tell us about ethnic inequalities in European labour markets?

Abstract

This commentary provides an overview of the sociological literature on ethnic inequalities in European labour markets. It gives an outline of various theories that can explain ethnic inequalities in the labour market and reviews the empirical evidence drawing on studies in Europe. Subsequently, I show how scholars have used these theoretical and empirical insights to account for the heterogeneity in ethnic inequality by country of origin and immigrant generation. I end with a discussion of policy measures to mitigate ethnic inequality.