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Explaining interregional migration trends in developed countries: a regional perspective

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  • Maximiliano Alvarez

    (The University of Queensland)

  • Aude Bernard

    (The University of Queensland)

  • Scott N. Lieske

    (The University of Queensland)

Abstract

The goal of this paper is to determine the role of economic and sociodemographic changes in driving trends in interregional migration rates in developed countries. Regional-level annual panel data of bilateral migration, economic and sociodemographic factors for a sample of eight European and non-European developed countries (2000–2019) are used to estimate dynamic heterogeneous and cross-sectionally augmented distributed lag panel regressions. Results reveal country-specific contributions of aggregate economic and sociodemographic transformations are a consequence of within-country heterogeneous temporal variations and origin–destination long-run linkages with bilateral migration flows. The findings emphasize the key role of economic and sociodemographic spatiotemporal variations on long-run overall interregional migration through spatially reconfiguring attractiveness and populations' migratory propensity and offer an explanation for the puzzling cross-country heterogeneity in interregional migration trends among countries with comparable national economic and sociodemographic transformations.

Suggested Citation

  • Maximiliano Alvarez & Aude Bernard & Scott N. Lieske, 2025. "Explaining interregional migration trends in developed countries: a regional perspective," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 68(5), pages 2413-2453, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:empeco:v:68:y:2025:i:5:d:10.1007_s00181-024-02697-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s00181-024-02697-7
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