Castorina, Diana, Stoeckl, N., and Welters, Riccardo (2010) Internal migration in Australia: does it exacerbate or mitigate regional skills disparities? In: Proceedings of 12th Path to Full Employment Conference. pp. 44-62. From: 12th Path to Full Employment Conference, 2 - 3 December 2010, Newcastle. NSW, Australia.

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Abstract

Why do some regions prosper while others decline and what are the causes for the disparities between brain-rich and brain-poor regions? In the USA, UK and Europe, there is evidence to suggest that regions with an attractive 'people climate' are likely to be able to entice other people, with embodied levels of human capital to move there - thus creating a virtuous cycle of self-sustaining growth. As such, the spatial distribution of the highly educated population may become increasingly concentrated creating disparities between brain-rich and brain-poor regions. Whether or not this phenomenon is occurring in Australia has not, as yet, been investigated. This research paper thus attempts to explore the issue using, initially, a descriptive approach. Firstly, it examines spatial patterns of Australian residents who have changed their usual place of residence between the census years 2001 and 2006 by analysing the most current Census data - 2006 Census Confidentialised Unit Record Files (CURFS) Microdata to determine which regions experienced inward/outward migration of highly skilled persons. Secondly, it examines the characteristics of brain-rich and brain-poor regions the primary aim being to see if there is prime facie evidence for the existence of these self-sustaining cycles. There are however, likely to be many compounding factors, so whilst this analysis improves our understanding of the link between migration and human capital, it is but a start - with more sophisticated analysis planned for subsequent research.

Item ID:	15568
Item Type:	Conference Item (Research - E1)
ISBN:	978-0-9807618-4-9
Date Deposited:	12 May 2011 02:54
FoR Codes:	14 ECONOMICS > 1402 Applied Economics > 140218 Urban and Regional Economics @ 100%
SEO Codes:	91 ECONOMIC FRAMEWORK > 9101 Macroeconomics > 910102 Demography @ 100%
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