Does war increase ethnic discrimination in the labor market? Evidence from a field experiment
Abdulla K. Mourelatos E.
August 2025Elsevier B.V.
Economic Modelling
2025#149
This study investigates employer bias against Russian migrants in Kazakhstans labor market during the Russia–Ukraine War. Existing literature highlights ethnic discrimination in hiring but lacks insights into these patterns in the context of a geopolitical conflict. Using data from 1,630 fictitious job applications sent to real job postings, we compare responses to local Kazakhs, local Russians, Kyrgyz migrants, and Russian migrants. Our analysis reveals that Russian migrants are significantly less likely to receive interview invitations. This bias intensifies in regions farther from Russia and in high-skilled job sectors. The findings indicate that geopolitical tensions amplify labor market inequalities and highlight the need for targeted anti-discrimination policies to promote equity in hiring practices.
Discrimination , Field experiment , Labor market , Migrant workers
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Narxoz University, Kazakhstan
Global Labour Organization,Essen, Germany
Department of Economics, Accounting and Finance, University of Oulu, Pentti Kaiteran katu 1, Oulu, 90570, Finland
Narxoz University
Global Labour Organization
Department of Economics
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