Do Immigrants Save Less than Natives? Immigrant and Native Saving Behaviour in Australia

The observed wealth differential in favour of native households seems to contradict the analytical presumption of a saving differential in favour of immigrant households. This article seeks to explain the observed differences in wealth through an examination of the respective saving behaviour of immigrants and natives. Quantile regression and semiparametric decomposition methods are used to identify the saving differential and to isolate the factors that contribute to it. The basic finding is that household income is the key to the differential saving pattern. Moreover, decomposition analysis suggests that immigrants have a tendency to save more than natives when compared with Australian-born households with similar characteristics. We also find evidence of heterogeneity in immigrant saving behaviour depending on household types and countries of origin.