ABSTRACT

This chapter reviews the complex factors that are associated with deciding to change address (or not). It considers how changing national aggregate levels of internal migration are a function of shifts in population composition (the proportionate increase or decrease of more or less mobile groups) and changes in the behaviour of these population sub-groups. It does this by examining the interplay of five groups of factors; (1) changing demography, (2) macro-economic and labour market factors, (3) technological developments, (4) societal and non-economic considerations and (5) other markets, regulatory and institutional structures. These factors sometimes pull in the same direction and sometimes work against each other. Whereas some, such as ageing, unambiguously reduce migration, others, like technological change, simultaneously enable mobility and immobility. It concludes by arguing that national institutions and policies may lead to country differences in the aggregate impact of some of the drivers of internal migration.