Sind Fremdsprachenkenntnisse mit dem Einkommen und der Beschäftigung verbunden? Empirische Evidenz aus Deutschland und aus der Welt

Abstract

This paper addresses the relationship between language, human capital, and the labour market. It starts with a fundamental discussion on the influence of language on consumption and production. Language skills are seen as human capital that exert influence both on consumption behaviour and productivity in the labour market. It is emphasised that the value of language skills depends both on the demand and the supply of linguistic abilities. Following a review of the rich literature on this topic, empirical evidence is presented, especially regarding the relationship between skills in various foreign languages and success in the labour market. In many cases, foreign language skills come significantly to bear on salaries and employment. A descriptive analysis of the relationship between knowledge of English and salaries and employment status is performed on current datasets for the German labour market.