Low-Wage Immigration has a Negative Economic Effect When the Cost of Social Welfare is Higher

According to studies and financial government reports by the UK and Denmark, low-wage/low-skill immigration costs more to the economy than it benefits it. Assuming a low-wage immigrant stays in the UK, the cost for using things like the NHS, needing financial help with housing and later in life, drawing a pension can be a drain on the economy from £150,000 to £500,000 (assuming death is 65 to 80).

If that immigrant brings in dependents, then those costs skyrocket. There are communities from the MENAPT regions which have very low rates of employment amongst women (assuming wives do not often work), which makes them dependents.

Data from Denmark about immigrants from MENAPT region highlights higher crime rates from those immigrant groups, resulting in the public feeling unsafe and the need for higher police presence. This means increased costs for police as well as prison services.

Conclusion

In countries where the cost of social welfare is already high and growing, the costs of bringing in low-wage immigrants for low-wage work exceeds the economic and social benefits. It would be better to do a mixture of automation assisted with capital investment and paying higher wages to locals in those situations.