RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Free Movement of Workers and Native Demand for Tertiary Education
JF Journal of Human Resources
JO J Hum Resour
FD University of Wisconsin Press
SP 0721-11805R2
DO 10.3368/jhr.0721-11805R2
A1 Bächli, Mirjam
A1 Tsankova, Teodora
YR 2023
UL http://jhr.uwpress.org/content/early/2023/03/02/jhr.0721-11805R2.abstract
AB We investigate how natives’ demand for tertiary education responds to a reform that relaxed employment restrictions for foreign workers in Switzerland. The policy change led to a sharp increase in cross-border commuting into Swiss areas close to the border. We find that enrollment in universities with a focus on applied studies rises in affected commuting zones, and this increase is driven by natives with a vocational background. Enrollment rises mostly in non-STEM fields that foster skills less transferable across countries. We show that enrollment results are consistent with a rising wage premium for tertiary non-STEM degrees.