Neighborhood Effects on Educational Outcomes: A Multilevel Analysis of Swedish-Born Children of Refugees in Sweden

Frankseco J Yorke, Stockholm University

The educational outcomes of second-generation children born to refugees (G2CR) are shaped by unique challenges, some of which are rooted in their parents' refugee experiences, yet these dynamics remain underexplored. We investigate how residential location impacts the educational performance of the G2CR in Sweden, using longitudinal register data and employing multi-level modeling techniques. We address three questions: How does living in refugee-dense neighborhoods influence the educational outcomes of G2CR? What is the role of neighborhood-level educational attainment in shaping these outcomes? How do these effects compare across different population groups? Beyond addressing this underexplored demographic, this research contributes to the understanding of systematic inequality and the connections between inequality and segregation. The findings not only shed light on varying inequality patterns but also discuss potential consequences and offer insights for future research. It also underscores the importance of residential context in shaping opportunities for educational success and highlights the role of spatial inequality in perpetuating disparities. By providing insights into the long-term educational consequences of residential segregation and refugee settlement patterns, this research contributes to ongoing discussions on integration and inequality in Sweden. Our results call for targeted policy interventions aimed at enhancing educational outcomes for children of refugees, particularly in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas, to promote more equitable educational opportunities.

Keywords: Migrant Populations and Refugees, Neighbourhood/contextual effect analysis, Inequality, Disadvantage and Discrimination, International Migration

See extended abstract.