The Economics of Internal Migration: Advances and Policy Questions

Abstract

We review developments in research on within-country migration, focusing on internal migration in the United States. We begin by describing approaches to modeling individuals’ migration decisions and equilibrium outcomes across local areas. Next, we summarize evidence regarding the impact of migration on individuals’ outcomes, implications of migration for local labor market adjustment, and interactions between migration and housing markets. Finally, we discuss evidence on the efficacy of policies aimed at encouraging migration and conclude by highlighting important unanswered questions that are critical for informing migration-related policy. (JEL I23, I38, J31, J61, J62, R23, R38)

Climate Change and the Geography of the U.S. Economy

“…In sum, despite evidence of a decline in U.S. internal migration over the past several decades (see, for instance, Jia et al (2023)), our evidence suggests that population movements will nevertheless play an important role in adapting to climate change. Whether this process can be facilitated with policy and structural changes is an important issue for future research.…”

“…This suggests mobility likely will be an important factor determining the impact and welfare costs of climate change in the decades ahead, as argued, for instance, by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (2017), Carleton & Hsiang (2016), Desmet & Rossi-Hansberg (2015), and Partridge et al (2017). Importantly, we find that the longer-run effects of weather on local population growth has been stable over the past four decades, suggesting that despite the decline in U.S. mobility rates (see, for instance, Jia et al (2023)), mobility responses to climate changes have not declined.…”

Untitled

“…The change in state policy in accordance with military challenges was not accompanied by changes in the Strategy of the state migration policy of Ukraine for the period until 2025 (Order of the Cabinet…, 2017), although the Strategy of the state policy on internal displacement for the period until 2025 (Order of the Cabinet…, 2023) was adopted with the corresponding action plan. A comprehensive approach to the regulation of internal migration is needed, taking into account the impact of migration on personal outcomes, adaptation of the local labour market, and the interaction of migration with housing markets, requiring an update of the relevant legislation without a narrow focus on the status of an internally displaced person (Jia et al, 2022).…”

Housing markets and geographical labour mobility to high-productivity regions: The case of Stockholm

“…For job search theory, see for example, Rogerson et al (2005). For studies related to geographical mobility in general and choice of mobility mode, see for example, Van Ommeren (2000), Andrews et al (2011), Greenwood (2021), Jia et al (2023). On Swedish data, see, for example, Eliasson et al (2003), Öhman and Lindgren (2003), Andersson et al (2018), and Tano et al (2018).…”