Après nous le Déluge: Fertility and the Intensity of Struggle against Immigration

Leonid V. Azarnert, Bar-Ilan University

Abstract. This paper is inspired by a puzzling empirical fact that despite the importance of controlling migration for their future, the host countries allocate very limited amounts of resources to the struggle against illegal immigration. The present model analyzes this issue in the context of low fertility in the host countries and suggests a novel channel though which the intensity of the struggle against immigration can be related to fertility. The analysis shows that for childless individuals, who have no reason to care about the future, it is optimal to contribute less to the costly immigration-prevention measures.

JEL Codes: F22; H21; J13

Keywords: immigration, border enforcing, low fertility