Ruhr Economic Papers

Ruhr Economic Papers #823
Berlin Calling – Internal Migration in Germany
by Thomas K. Bauer, Christian Rulff and Michael Tamminga
RUB, RWI, 10/2019, 27 S./p., 8 Euro, ISBN 978-3-86788-956-8 DOI: 10.4419/86788956
downloadAbstract
This paper analyzes the determinants of internal migration in Germany. Using data on the NUTS-3 level
for different age groups and Pseudo-Poisson Maximum Likelihood (PPML) gravity models, the empirical
analysis focuses on the relevant push and pull factors of internal migration over the life cycle. Labor market variables appear to be most powerful in explaining interregional migration, especially for the younger cohorts. Furthermore, internal migrants show heterogeneous migration behavior across age groups. In particular the largest group, which is also the youngest, migrates predominantly into urban areas, whereas the oldest groups chose to move to rural regions. This kind of clustering reinforces preexisting regional heterogeneity of demographic change.
JEL-Classification: R23, J11, O18
Keywords: Internal migration; gravity model; demographic polarization