The Gendered Nature of Migration and Settlement of Latin Americans in Spain

Albert Sabater, University of St Andrews
Andreu Domingo, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Juan Galeano, Centre d'Estudis Demogràfics (CED)

Introduction: The growing demand for care work is considered the main responsible of the feminization of migration flows from Latin America to Spain. Although this has prompted various examinations of occupational disadvantage, little is known about the connection between occupational and residential segregation. Aim: We examine the correlation between these two forms of segregation in order to explain the sociospatial behavior of Latin Americans in Spain. Method: We employ the index of dissimilarity (D) as the standard measure to analyze the uneven distribution of members of two groups (native and Latin American) across a set of categories on both occupational and residential segregation. Data: We use Labor Force Survey and Local Census data from 2000 to 2010. Results: A negative correlation between occupational and residential segregation is likely to be found (i.e. spatial integration at the cost of occupational disadvantage), thus suggesting the different manifestations of a multidimensional phenomenon.