Determinants of Interregional Migration in Italy : A Panel Data Analysis

Using panel data analysis on gross migration flows between regions, the empirical analysis investigates the role of the macroeconomic determinants during the period 1996-2002. After two decades of low internal migration rates, official national statistics report a considerable increase of internal mobility that started in 1996 and continues to grow at the time of writing. The study distinguishes between the role played by the same explanatory variable in the sending region (push factor) and in the destination region (pull factor). The per capita GDP turns out to be the main economic determinant, showing a strong effect both when it acts as a push factor and when it acts as an attractive factor. The unemployment rate appears to be an important determinant as well. The results from the dynamic model show the presence of strong network effects