Economic Report of the President

largest group of immigrants was born in Asia, with China, the Philippines,and India the most prevalent Asian countries of birth. An additional 14 percentof the foreign-born come from Europe, and the remaining 8 percent wereborn in other areas of the world (mainly Africa, Oceania, and Canada).Immigrant Education and EarningsThe foreign-born are disproportionately represented among those withlittle schooling. Over one-fifth of immigrants have less than nine yearsof education, compared with only 4 percent of the U.S.-born population(Chart 4-5). The foreign-born are also slightly overrepresented among peoplewith an advanced degree (a master’s, professional, or doctoral degree):10 percent of the foreign-born, but only 9 percent of U.S. natives, hold anadvanced degree. This difference in advanced degrees is greater for men.Although native- and foreign-born women are equally likely to hold anadvanced degree, 12 percent of foreign-born men but only 10 percent ofnative men have an advanced degree.Schooling levels are correlated with region of origin. Immigrants fromcertain world regions tend to be highly educated while those from other worldregions tend to have little schooling. For example, 25 percent of Asian-bornmen in the United States hold advanced degrees, whereas only 10 percentChapter 4 | 99