Education Differences in the Drivers of Internal Migration

Guy Abel , University of Hong Kong

Age, gender and education are the three largest sources of observable heterogeneity in the study of population. Understanding these demographic differentials is essential for projecting future population sizes and compositions (Lutz 2014). Exploiting the harmonised census records in the Integrated Public Use Microdata Series for over 50 countries from the past six decades, we first describe migration intensity by gender and education. Subsequently, we fit a series of weighted multilevel gravity-type spatial interaction models. We utilise a range of variables to study differences in population migration by educational attainment, examining the influence of country-specific contextual factors and regional 'push' and 'pull' factors. We find distinct patterns in migration levels across education groups, where, for example, more educated migrants are associated with longer-distance moves and away from older regions. Within educational level, gender differences are also apparent. For example, males with lower levels of education are attracted to areas with better job opportunities than their female counterparts.

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 Presented in Session 25. Economic Drivers of Internal Migration