Internal Migration and Regional Adjustment: Some Preliminary Issues

Abstract

In this paper we examine the link between local labour market adjustment and internal migration. We use census data to provide a range of labour market indicators, and measures of movements of people between locations. We then consider the relationship between internal migration and regional labour market adjustment, examining the importance of accounting for persistent regional differences, international migration, and how similar locations are. We provide some preliminary estimates of labour market - migration links, building on the foundation of a simple gravity-model relationship.