How does the perception of a welfare magnet influence support for immigration and redistribution? Evidence from Switzerland

It is a long-standing debate whether countries act as welfare magnets and attract immigrants who free-ride on their social programs. Based on data for Switzerland, this study shows with an information experiment that the perception of the welfare magnet is crucial for immigration and redistribution policies. Specifically, roughly 80% of the survey participants believe that Switzerland acts as a welfare magnet. Informing that immigrants contribute more to the old-age and survivors’ insurance than Swiss citizens mitigates this view, resulting in a desire for a significantly lower reduction of the future inflow of immigrants. Conversely, positive evidence on the welfare magnet in Denmark does not further decrease the respondents’ attitude towards immigration, but significantly lowers support for redistribution.