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Migration in Germany

Author

Listed:
  • Frank Goetzke
  • Tilmann Rave

Abstract

This article investigates migration in postunification Germany, focusing on three particular issues: Do Germans migrate to improve their net wages or for higher levels of amenities? Is migration behavior in East Germany the same as for unified Germany? And finally, is there a difference between age groups in terms of migration? In addition, the authors will control for spatial dependence in the migration model. The authors show that Germany has both equilibrium model and disequilibrium model aspects. The authors also find that migration behavior depends on both different stages in the life cycle and the location. Younger people value amenities higher, while middle-aged people and East Germans prefer regions with low unemployment. Surprisingly, retirees do not have a preference for amenities unless they are from East Germany.

Suggested Citation

  • Frank Goetzke & Tilmann Rave, 2013. "Migration in Germany," International Regional Science Review, , vol. 36(2), pages 167-182, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:inrsre:v:36:y:2013:i:2:p:167-182
    DOI: 10.1177/0160017611435358
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Yaqin Su & Yue Hua & Xiaobo Liang, 2019. "Toward Job or Amenity?: Evaluating the Locational Choice of Internal Migrants in China," International Regional Science Review, , vol. 42(5-6), pages 400-430, September.
    3. Benjamin Wirth, 2013. "Ranking German regions using interregional migration - What does internal migration tells us about regional well-being?," ERSA conference papers ersa13p1254, European Regional Science Association.
    4. K. Newbold, 2015. "Population aging: What role for regional science?," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 55(2), pages 357-372, December.
    5. Paula Prenzel, 2021. "Are old regions less attractive? Interregional labour migration in a context of population ageing," Papers in Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 100(6), pages 1429-1447, December.

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