Internal migration in Turkey: socioeconomic characteristics by destination and type of move, 1965-70.

Abstract

Based on examination of internal migration in Turkey during the 1965-70 period the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of migrants and the variation in these properties by type of move undertaken (first repeat and return migration) and by choice of destination are described. The volume rates and differentials of migration are discussed in this context. A very rapid rural-urban migration occurred in the 1950-70 period; urban population increased from 18.8 to 35.8% of the total. The emphasis on industrialization the mechanization and relatively slower growth of agricultural production the scarcity of new lands to cultivate and the construction of a large road network connecting cities with their hinterland and rural communities contributed to this increased movement. The 1970 Turkish census questionnaire included a question on "place of usual residence 5 years ago" for the 1st time. Along with information on place of birth and usual residence in 1970 the census provides information on place of residence at 3 points in time. The study is based on a 1/1000 sample selected from the household records of the 1970 Population Census of Turkey. Discussion is restricted to the migration of the adult population; the migration of children (up to age 15) which is viewed as involuntary is excluded. The working file contains 20602 cases. Variables analyzed include age sex education labor force status occupation and place of residence in 1970. The migration-defining variables are province of birth and usual residence in 1965 and 1970. Census data indicated that 9.2% of the population 15 years of age and older changed their place of residence during the 1965-70 period moving to another province. An additional 4% moved to another place within the same province. There were strong indications of stage migration if movements both within and between provinces are considered. All urban places showed population grew through intraprovincial migration. Only large metropolitan cities have grown through interprovincial migration. Migrants from rural areas 1st move to towns and cities within the same province and then make a 2nd move to other mostly larger urban areas and metropolitan cities. The majority of the interprovincial migrants (60%) were interurban movers and only 1/5 were rural to urban migrants. +a large group of repeat migrants who moved primarily between urban places were relatively older better educated and skilled and more likely to be employed in white-collar occupations than their counterparts. Although interprovincial migration was dominated by young and single males there was considerable variation in migrant properties according to the type of move made and the place of destination. Socioeconomic characteristics of the 2 basic migration types are included.