Ethnic internal migration: The importance of age and migrant status

• Published in: The Geographical journal 2019-03, Vol.185 (1), p.68-81
• Main Authors: Darlington‐Pollock, Frances, Lomax, Nik, Norman, Paul
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age; Age composition; Age differences; Age distribution; Birth; Census; Censuses; Childbirth & labor; Country of birth; Demographic change; Domains; England and Wales; Ethnic groups; Ethnicity; Housing; Internal migration; Local population; logistic regression; Migration; Minority & ethnic groups; Minority groups; Propensity
• ISSN: 0016-7398; 1475-4959
• DOI: 10.1111/geoj.12286

Internal migration is one of the main drivers of local population change and therefore an important factor to consider in the provision of services across key domains such as housing, health and education. In recent years, the population of England and Wales has become increasingly ethnically diverse, with groups varying in age structure and time spent in the UK (whether at the group or individual level). However, relatively little is known about the internal migration patterns of these diverse groups, with research into internal migration propensity not accounting for the possible interplay between ethnicity, country of birth and age. Using micro‐data from the 2011 Census for England and Wales, this paper addresses this gap in knowledge, exploring whether widely reported determinants of internal migration operate differently for different ethnic groups, stratified by age and country of birth. This paper also explores whether for ethnic minority groups born overseas, time spent in the UK matters for migration propensity. When stratifying ethnic groups by age and country of birth, differences in migration propensity do not appear to be explained by socio‐economic differences, as previous research in the field suggests. However, for those born overseas, some of the differences are explained by time spent in the UK. From a policy perspective, it is evident that a more nuanced understanding of the way in which propensity to migrate may vary between ethnic groups differing in age and country of birth is needed to ensure sustained provision and equitable access across key service domains. Further research must examine the extent to which differences in migration propensity shapes the nature of migration events, whether in terms of distance or frequency of move. This paper examines differences in the propensity to move short (less than 10 km) and long (10 km or more) distance between ethnic groups differentiated by age and country of birth. It reports on whether determinants of migration vary between those groups, and whether time spent in the UK matters for foreign‐born ethnic groups.