International Migration Flows Research Articles

Old but gold: The use of multiregional life tables and the place-of-birth-dependent approach for studying recent internal migration in Italy

There has been a significant shift in migratory behavior within Italy over time. The origins and destinations of the migration flows, which were previously characterized by a clear prevalence of moving from the south to the center-north, are now much more heterogeneous and complex. Despite the important progress achieved in the past 20 years, the measurement of internal migration remains a contentious topic in international research. Using data provided by the Italian National Institute of Statistics, we applied Rogers’ multiregional model place-of-birth-dependent approach to assess the internal migration flows that occurred in Italy in the period 2002 – 2013. This approach provides accurate measurements of internal migration, noting in particular the years of life expectancy for each birth cohort living in each geographical Italian macroregion (northeast, northwest, center, and south). The results indicate that the northwest is the main area of destination for internal migration. The birth cohort in the south is the one that has the greatest number of years of life expectancy in other macroregions. Interestingly, this cohort is the only one characterized by a predominantly male migratory model.

Assessing the quality of data on international migration flows in Europe: The case of undercounting

Abstract Undercounting is a critical issue in migration statistics, resulting in bias. This typically arises from insufficient reporting requirements and problems with enforcing such requirements. The main sources of information on undercounting are the metadata accompanying official statistics and expert opinions. However, metadata and arbitrary expert opinions may be limited by overlooking important details in migration data shared by various countries. This includes potential oversight of changes in methodologies, definitions, or retrospective updates to the data following censuses. This work presents a methodological solution with three objectives to address undercounting in international migration data. First, we provide an overview of available metadata and expert opinions on undercounting in European migration flows. Secondly, we propose a novel data-driven approach that incorporates year-specific and duration-of-stay-adjusted classifications. The proposed methodological solution relies on comparisons of flows in the same direction reported by a given country with high-quality data reported by another set of countries. We use bilateral migration data provided by Eurostat, United Nations, and selected national statistical institutes. Duration-of-stay correction coefficients are derived through an optimization model or borrowed from the literature. Metadata and expert opinion scores can also be integrated to classify undercounting. Finally, we provide a dynamic classification of undercounting for thirty-two European countries (2002–21), accessible through an online Shiny application, offering flexibility and adaptability. The findings highlight significant undercounting in new European Union Member States, particularly Bulgaria, Latvia, and Romania. Interestingly, other European countries, including those presumed to maintain reliable population statistics, also exhibit notable periods of undercounting.

INTERNAL MIGRATION DYNAMICS AND LABOR FORCE CHALLENGES IN KAZAKHSTAN

This study examines the dynamics of internal migration and its impact on labor force challenges in Kazakhstan. Internal migration plays a crucial role in shaping demographic patterns and labor market dynamics in different regions of the country. By analyzing data on internal migration flows and labor force trends, this study aims to shed light on the factors driving internal migration and its implications for the labor market. The findings suggest that internal migration in Kazakhstan is influenced by various factors, including economic opportunities, demographic trends, and government policies. Internal migrants often face challenges in accessing employment, housing, and social services, which can impact their well-being and integration into the labor market. Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach that considers the needs of internal migrants and promotes inclusive growth across regions. By understanding the dynamics of internal migration and its impact on the labor force, policymakers can develop effective strategies to address labor market challenges and promote sustainable development in Kazakhstan.

What Makes Us Move, What Makes Us Stay: The Role of Language and Culture in Intra-EU Mobility

AbstractThis article analyses the determinants of international migration flows within the European Union and specifically focuses on the role of cultural and linguistic differences in explaining the size of these flows. For that purpose, a set of indicators of cultural distance is controlled for along with economic, demographic, geographical, political and network variables using data from 28 member states of the EU over the period 1998–2018. Economic factors play an important role in examining migration flows, but economic differentials alone may be insufficient to explain the uneven real-life migration pattern in the EU. The results suggest strong evidence of the importance of linguistic distance in explaining the direction of migration flows across the EU.

In-between centers and suburbs? Increasing differentials in recent demographic dynamics of Italian metropolitan cities

Verifying the intrinsic stability of demographic processes over time and space is a pivotal task from both science and policy perspectives. Compared with other regions of the old continent, a latent peculiarity of demographic systems in Southern Europe is their persistent heterogeneity over space, especially observed across metropolitan regions. ‘Centers’ and ‘peripheries’ are thus becoming representative of, respectively, territories undergoing demographic growth and decline. The former corresponds to urban areas, being attractive for different population segments. The present study illustrates the results of a statistical analysis of total population data over time (2011–2020) and its decomposition in natural increase and net migration rates in 14 metropolitan cities of Italy. Assuming that central and peripheral (e.g., suburbs) locations show differential trends of natural increase and net migration, our analysis verifies whether (i) central locations behave homogeneously in terms of population dynamics, and whether (ii) a North–South gradient holds. Results indicate how (metropolitan) demographic patterns no longer reflect a traditional gap between Northern and Southern regions, while outlining a subtler divide in growing and declining contexts. The few still-growing metropolitan areas were all located in North-Central Italy, and reflect more polarized socioeconomic contexts than in the past. Internal migration was likely the most powerful factor that discriminates growing from declining cities. Such evidence indicates that strengthening the self-restraining capacity of Southern Italian territories contributes to increase their attractiveness of international migration flows, counteracting demographic shrinkage.

ДИНАМИКА ЧИСЛЕННОСТИ И ТЕНДЕНЦИИ МИГРАЦИИ МОЛОДЕЖИ НОВГОРОДСКОЙ ОБЛАСТИ: ИЗМЕНЕНИЯ ЗА ПОСЛЕДНИЕ ГОДЫ

The article, based on demographic statistics, analyzes the dynamics of the number of youths aged 14 to 34 years in the Novgorod region from 2018 to 2023. The topic of demographic reproduction of youth has recently acquired relevance, since during this period there has been a decrease in the number of youths in the region, which tends to increase in the near future. One of the mechanisms for maintaining the number of young people is the migration of high school stu-dents and young professionals to the region as part of interregional and international migration. Therefore, the purpose of the work is to study the demographic development, scale and direction of migration movements of youth groups in the Novgorod region. Youth migration data over the past three years show an increase in the number of young people aged 15-24 arriving in the region. However, the scale of negative migration growth in the age groups of 25-29 years and 30-34 years, recorded in 2022, raises concerns. A comparison of interregional and international youth migration flows makes it possible to rank them, from which it can be seen that the former significantly pre-dominate in the region over the latter. Another of the tasks set in the work is to analyze the dynam-ics of the population group under 14 years of age, since in the near future it will be precisely this that will influence the demographic processes in the youth group as a whole. From a comparative analysis of the children's group, it is clear that within it there are subgroups with differently directed demographic processes - the numerical decline of some and growth of other groups. The data obtained during the study can become the basis for developing models for predicting the process of youth migration in the region, as well as a topic for expert discussion of the complex impact of demographic processes on the education system and labor market in the region. To realize the pos-itive potential of educational and labor migration, the author proposes to concentrate on research activities to analyze groups of youth, the number of which will decline in the coming years.

Everyday discrimination, co-ethnic social support and mood changes in young adult immigrants in Germany–Evidence from an ecological momentary assessment study

ObjectiveIn the context of international migration flows, Germany is the second largest receiving country of migrants in the world. The aim of this study is to investigate the momentary mood effects of discrimination experiences for young adult immigrants and which social resources can buffer negative effects. A distinction is made between the importance of inter and intra-ethnic interaction partners in processing stressors. MethodUsing an ecological momentary assessment design, first-generation migrants in Germany who had recently migrated from Poland, Turkey or Syria were interviewed three times a day over seven days in June 2021 (N individuals = 976; N observations = 11,470). The timing of the short surveys was chosen at random using a signal contingent sampling method. Participants reported their momentary mood and instances of discrimination, along with information on social support perception and interaction partners during the preceding hour in the context of their everyday lives. Hybrid mixed-effects regression models were estimated and the research questions were tested with three-way interactions. ResultsThe results indicate that perceived social support only moderately buffers the negative effect of everyday discrimination experiences on mood. A positive main effect on mood is observed for situational variations in perceived social support as well as for support from interaction partners. ConclusionThe findings illustrate that being embedded in supportive relationships is important in everyday life, regardless of the occurrence of stressors. Furthermore, the study suggests that the level of perceived support is more important for first-generation migrants than the ethnic origin of the support provider.

COMESA Migration Flows: Evidence from Top-5 Inflows and Outflows

While migration out of the African continent seems more visible given the attention it receives based on recent debates mostly shaped by the media, intra-African migration and inter-state migration in Africa is large owing to the numbers involved in absolute terms. This study considers the Top-5 inflows and the reciprocal top five outflows by each COMESA country. Utilizing the gravity model of migration, the study sought to predict the degree of migration interaction. Focusing on the COMESA region integration block (21 countries), this study examined its Top-5 inflows and outflows migrations. Using national data migration flows statistics available from migrationdataportal.org for the year 2010. The statistics defines an international migrant as an individual who has a different usual country of residence in 2010 compared with 2005. These statistics were estimated by combining country-to-country international flows with estimates of 5-year internal migration flows. The study estimated an empirical model as a measure for both Inflows and Outflows to better understand the COMESA migration flows as a part of intra-African migration and consider the factors may explain changes in the volumes and the direction of these changes in migrations. The study finds that; there is significant reciprocity between COMESA inflows and outflows, the common border and the common 2nd/ethnic language significantly influences both COMESA inflows and outflows, and the Political Stability negatively influences COMESA inflows and outflows, notably, however, the distance between countries neither influences COMESA Inflows nor Outflows.

Nephrological Complications in Hemoglobinopathies: SITE Good Practice

Background. Hemoglobinopathies, among which thalassemic syndromes (transfusion-dependent and non-transfusion dependent thalassemias) and sickle cell disease (SCD), are the most widespread monogenic diseases worldwide. Hemoglobinopathies are endemic and spread-out all-over Italy, as result of internal and external migration flows. Nowadays, the increase therapeutic options associated to the general aging of patients with hemoglobinopathies related to the improvement in clinical management, contribute to the abnormalities in kidney function going from blood and urine test alterations to chronic kidney disease and end stage renal disease. Methods. Here, we carried out a revision of the literature as panel of recognized experts in hemoglobinopathies with the consultancy and the revision of two nephrologists on kidney alteration and kidney disease in patients with TDT, NTDT and SCD. This is part of the action of the Italian society for the study of thalassemia and hemoglobinopties (SITE). The purpose of this “good practice (GP)” is to provide recommendations for follow-up and therapy for the management of kidney alterations in patients with TDT, NTDT and SCD. The literature review covers the period 1.1.2016 to 31.12.2022. In consideration of the rarity of these diseases, the analysis was extended from 5 to 7 years. Moreover, in the absence of relevant scientific papers in the identified time frame, we referred to pivotal or population studies, when available. Finally, in the absence of evidence-based data from prospective and randomized trials, the authors had to refer to expert opinion (expert consensus) for many topics. Results. We generated question and answer boxes to offer a friendly consultation, using color code strategy and focused answers. Conclusions. The present GP will help in improving the clinical management, and the quality of care of patients with hemoglobinopathies.

Миграционная привлекательность Казахстана: проблемы и решения

This article examines the problems of external and internal migration of the population of Kazakhstan, which is becoming relevant in the modern world. The analysis of the migration situation by region and in the whole country is carried out. Based on the data obtained, we can talk about a tendency to stabilize the external and internal migration flow, but there is still a disparity across regions, when there is an overabundance in some areas, and in others, on the contrary, a shortage of labor resources, constant monitoring and strengthening of work with illegal migration to the country is required. Also, according to the results of the study, it was revealed that there is a problem of unsettled people after the pandemic, when many lost permanent sources of income and had to migrate both inside and outside the country to improve their social status and income. In order to achieve migration stability as one of the conditions for the economic development of Kazakhstan, constant ef-forts are needed to minimize the unemployment rate, active work on retraining and career guidance of the population, effective migration policy to attract a constant number of specialists in demand by the country's economy. Migration stability gives confidence to the population in the future and contributes to an increase in the birth rate and demographic growth as a key factor of security and socio-economic development of the country. And in this direction, the Government of Kazakhstan needs constant efforts to improve the system of work on migration policy in the real conditions of the modern world.

Internal migration and economic mobility in Chile

ABSTRACT We identify internal migration flows between Chilean regions and analyse migrants’ economic mobility. A data pool from National Socioeconomic Characterization Survey (CASEN) surveys was used to determine migrants’ economic position according to their income quintile. Internal migrants were matched with non-migrants of similar status from their region of origin to compare their economic mobility. Results show that the majority of internal migrants did not achieve economic advancement in the short and medium terms, which challenges the neoclassical and functionalist assumptions of a positive relationship between migration and social mobility. Finally, we identify three interregional elevators in Chile: the Austral, Norte Grande and Metropolitan macro-regions.

A Bayesian approach to estimate annual bilateral migration flows for South America using census data

Abstract Censuses are an important source of international migration flow data. However, their use is limited since they indirectly reflect migration, capturing migrant transitions over long intervals rather than migration events, whilst also underestimating the number of infants and deaths. Censuses also neglect migration of those who are native-born when they only include questions on country of birth, and have sparse temporal availability. We propose a Bayesian hierarchical model to overcome these limitations and produce a set of robust annual migration flow estimates for South American countries. Our model translates five-year transition data from censuses into annual series, corrects biases that arise due to differences in measurement and census data quality across countries, and is grounded in migration theory to impute missing migration data between censuses.

The Feminisation of Migration and the Practice of Religion

The phenomenon of feminisation of migration, characterized by the increasing participation of women in international migration flows, has gained attention recently. This paper explored the interplay between feminisation of migration and religion, shedding light on the experiences of migrant women. It investigated how religion serves as a cultural anchor, resilience-building mechanism, and identity negotiator for female migrants. The paper thus outlined the global trend of rising female migration, discusses gender dynamics in migration, and highlights the challenges faced by migrant women in balancing faith practices and integration. It further examined the intersectionality of gender and religious identity, emphasizing the need for a nuanced analysis. The article explored how religious beliefs and practices contribute to the resilience and adaptation of migrant women, and how religion shapes their sense of self. It also explored the role of religious communities in providing support and facilitating community building among migrant women. The study showed that female migration empowers women, increases their control over mobility and rights, and their remittances can contribute significantly to economies. It revealed the multidimensional nature of feminisation of migration and the need for policy recommendations to improve the living and working conditions of migrant women. The paper increases understanding of the challenges faced by women during migration and highlights the importance of protecting and promoting women’s rights. It also notes the impact of women’s absence from home on gender roles and social dynamics. Keywords: Feminisation, Migration, Practice of Religion, Religious Identities, Gendered Migration Pattern.

Did the COVID-19 pandemic change internal rural migration patterns in Serbia?

Recent empirical research on internal migration has focused on the change in migration volume, before and after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, by the degree of urbanization. Less is known about the types of rural areas that are attracting internal migrants. This study aims to explore the changes in internal rural migration patterns in Serbia due to the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on the types of rural settlements as places of destinations and types of urban settlements as places of the origin of migrants. Relying on the additionally processed official national annual statistical data for the period 2018–2021, we offer findings on the differences in volume and socio-demographic characteristics of migrants across six internal migration flows (from small towns, medium-sized towns, and large cities, to suburban and non-suburban rural settlements). The results reveal that the pandemic affected an increase of rural–rural migration as well as rural in-migration from medium-sized towns. We also find that after an initial drop in values for in- and out-migration rates in 2020, relocation intensity exceeded the pre-pandemic level in 2021, with a positive net migration rate for all age groups except 15–30. The unfavorable economic characteristics of rural in-migrants shifted slightly in pandemic years since the share of active and population with personal means rose in non-suburban settlements, while the percentage of dependent population decreased. The opposite holds for suburban settlements.

“Liberal tide” and migratory patterns in Latin America

South-South migration constitutes 40% of international migration flows, with Southern countries receiving three-quarters of the world’s total refugees. Despite this, research efforts have mainly focused on South-North migration, partly filling the gap only recently. We found that the migration patterns in Latin America, at the turn of the century, doubled, growing from 7 million immigrants in 1990 to nearly 15 million in 2020. Of particular interest is the Latin American approach to migration, which has embraced, since 2000, strong narrative based on human rights principles that prevails in discourses, policies, and laws. Key aspects of this approach include recognizing migration as a human right, refraining from criminalizing irregular migration, and ensuring equal protection of social rights. This approach has been defined as the “liberal tide.” The paper illustrates the link between the “liberal tide” and the “pink tide” (left-wing governments). However, the choice of human rights-based liberal migratory policies may also be embedded in the specific migratory patterns of the region. In the late 20th century, the status of Latin America has transformed from a destination for immigrants originating from Europe, Asia, and the Middle East to a region of significant source of migrants engaging in both interregional migration and transoceanic migration (including Europe and Japan). This two-sided migration experience has likely exerted a notable influence on the formulation of liberal policies.

Entre la tradición y la actualidad: un análisis de la dinámica migratoria de Veracruz

In the population history of Veracruz, a state in southeastern Mexico and a maritime entry port to the country, the arrival of people to the region has been prevalent. However, in the 21st Century, Veracruz was incorporated into the international migration flows to the United States. In this context, the objective of this study is to analyze the recent flows of emigrants from Veracruz to the northern border of Mexico and the United States, as well as the dynamic of return migration and the immigration of foreigners. Taking a demographic and quantitative perspective, this research focuses on the decade from 2010 to 2020, with a specific emphasis on regional and municipal analysis. The results show that international emigration and immigration are phenomena that occur within specific regions and municipalities, and that, only in three out of ten regions do the departure and return of Veracruz residents and the arrival of foreigners to the state converge, particularly individuals from Central America and Venezuela.

Особенности миграционных процессов Республики Коми: 1990–2020 годы

The northern regions of our country are characterized by a significant migration decline. The Komi Republic stands out among them with the highest values of indicators of migration outflow of the population. Operating with statistical data, the article analyzes the migration processes of the Komi Republic for the period from 1990 to 2020. The purpose of the study is to identify the features of migration in the region, depending on its direction and period. The article presents the results of the analysis of migration turnover, the specifics of migration flows of internal and interregional migration, as well as the dynamics of migration exchange between urban and rural territories. According to the re¬sults, it was found that internal migration flows are directed to the capital of the region, acting as a socio-economic and educational center. The largest outflow of population is char¬acteristic of cities whose economic specialization has now lost relevance. Migration within the region is characterized by an influx of population from rural areas to the city, and the share of the village in interregional migration is significantly inferior to the city. Despite the continuing migration decline of the population, the intensity of migration is decreasing by 2020, due to a decrease in the number of both departures and arrivals, the difference between migration from the city and from the countryside is decreasing.

Migrant networks, regional development and internal migration flows in Brazil

PurposeThis study analyzes the role of migrant networks in the migration flows in relation to the educational level of the migrants and economic growth of the states of origin and destination in Brazil.Design/methodology/approachFixed effects estimator applied to microdata.FindingsThe results show migrant networks have a significant and positive impact on migration flows of the different educational levels. The economic growth in the destination state accentuates this effect, while the economic growth in the origin state has distinct impacts according to the educational level of the new migrant.Originality/valueThe authors investigate the importance of migrant networks in the internal immigration within a developing country with large internal movement of people. In Brazil, the socio-economic condition of the population varies considerably in relation to its geography, which explains the country’s large internal migration flows.

…And the pursuit of happiness: International migratory flows and countries' subjective well‐being

AbstractThis research considers observed migratory flows as a source of information for the preferences of individuals. Using data on global migration flows from 2005 onwards, the extent to which the structure of the international migration system is consistent with an implicit ranking of countries is examined. Moreover, by assuming that migrants' decision‐making is guided by utility maximization, we interpret the scores of the ranking as a measure of subjective well‐being or happiness. After this, the estimated scores are associated with a set of factors usually considered key drivers of happiness. Empirical results suggest that income is the most relevant predictor of happiness and this relationship is non‐linear.

Demographic Security in the Context of International Migration

The demographic situation in Russia today remains extremely tense. The period of implementation of the Concept of the demographic policy of the Russian Federation is coming to an end and it is necessary to sum up the results, as well as to identify the remaining problems and determine possible prospects for the country’s demographic security. The article considers the issue of ensuring the demographic security of Russia in the framework of modern realities, when demographic problems are solved by attracting migrants from Eastern European and Asian states. The purpose of the study was to determine the prospects and possible consequences of attracting international migrants to the country, since the flows of international migration are not stable and depend on the socio-economic and political situation both in migrant-sending countries and migrant-receiving countries. An analysis of the dynamics of migration flows to Russia from abroad is carried out. It is revealed that in the future we can talk about the stability of migration flows only from the countries of Central Asia (Uzbekistan and Tajikistan) considering the demographic situation in these donor countries. It is determined that the quality of human capital and the standard of living of the population in the most promising donor countries are significantly lower than in Russia. An assumption was made about the growing problem of not only maintaining the population, but also maintaining the necessary quality of human resources to ensure the implementation of strategic programs and projects in the field of socio-economic development, as well as addressing issues of social support for migrants to prevent the threat of increasing poverty in the country. It is concluded that there is a need for a new approach to the management of migration flows aimed at ensuring the quality of the labor resources. It is proposed to provide conditions for training or retraining of labor migrants, as well as to solve the issue of financial affordability of such training, since most of the migrants are representatives of the poorest segments of the population.