In Focus: Migration Behaviour of East Germans
Alexander Kubis, Lutz Schneider
Wirtschaft im Wandel,
No. 4,
2008
Abstract
During the transition period, East Germany faced a strong out-migration towards the western part of Germany. Between 1989 and 2006, the net loss of internal migration in East Germany accumulated to 1.7 million people. Regarding the age distribution of these internal migration flows, it is shown that the net losses are primarily – over 50% – caused by young people aged 18 to 30 years. Besides the most important trend of East-West-migration, substantial regional differences can be observed. In the 1990s, the surrounding areas of large cities in East Germany benefited from suburbanisation. Afterwards, this trend has come to an end so that agglomerations in East Germany currently experience in-migration. However, peripheral regions faced strong negative net migration rates during the entire transition period.
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Determinants of Female Migration – The Case of German NUTS 3 Regions
Alexander Kubis, Lutz Schneider
IWH Discussion Papers,
No. 12,
2007
Abstract
Our study examines the regional patterns and determinants of migration flows of young women. At the NUTS-3 regional level, i.e. the district level (Kreise), the German internal migration flows of the year 2005 are explored. From descriptive statistics it can be seen that peripheral regions in East Germany face the strongest migration deficit with respect to young women, whereas agglomerations in West Germany but also in the East benefit from an intense migration surplus within this group. An econometric analysis of determinants of regional migration flows gives evidence of the importance of labour market, family-related and educational migration motives. Generally speaking, young women tend to choose regions with good income and job opportunities, in addition they seem to be attracted by regions enabling an appropriate balance between family and career. Furthermore the existence of excellent educational facilities is a significant influence for young women’s migration. This educationally motivated type of migration generates a long lasting effect on the regional migration balance, especially when the educational opportunities in the destination region are associated with adequate career perspectives for high qualified female graduates. In view of considerable losses due to migration, the study shows various options for action. An important course of action is to incorporate policy measures improving regional employment and income opportunities. Secondly, extending vocational and academic offers addressed to women seems to be a suitable way to stimulate women’s immigration. Moreover, enhancing the social infrastructure, which contributes to a satisfactory work life balance, might attract young women or at least reduce the number of them leaving a region.
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„Where Have All the Young Girls Gone …?” Regional Analysis of Young Women’s Migration Behavior
Alexander Kubis, Lutz Schneider
Wirtschaft im Wandel,
No. 8,
2007
Abstract
The study examines the patterns and determinants of migration flows of young women at the age between 18 and 30 years. At the NUTS-3 regional level, i.e. the district level (Kreise), the German internal migration flows of the year 2005 are explored. From descriptive statistics it can be seen that peripheral regions in East Germany face the strongest migration deficit with respect to young women, whereas agglomerations in West Germany but also in the East benefit from an intense migration surplus within this group. The econometric analysis of determinants of regional migration flows emphasizes the importance of economic, family-related and educational migration motives. Generally speaking, young women tend to choose regions with good income and job opportunities. In addition, they seem to be attracted by regions enabling an appropriate balance between family and career. Furthermore, the existence of excellent educational facilities is a significant pull factor regarding young female migration. This educationally motivated type of migration generates an enduring effect on the regional balance of migration, which is especially true if the educational opportunities in the target region are associated with adequate career perspectives for highly qualified female graduates. In terms of recommendations for action, the study underlines the importance of policy measures improving the regional job and income opportunities. Secondly, the upgrading of fields of study mainly chosen by women seems to be a suitable way to stimulate female immigration. Moreover, the enhancement of the social infrastructure, which promotes a satisfactory work life balance, might attract young women or at least reduce the number of them leaving the region.
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East-West internal migration: remarkable loss of human capital
Lutz Schneider
Wirtschaft im Wandel,
No. 10,
2005
Abstract
Ende der 90er Jahre mußte für Ostdeutschland eine negative Trendumkehr in den Wanderungsbewegungen konstatiert werden: Die in den Jahren nach der deutschen Einigung gesunkenen Wanderungsverluste stiegen bis ins Jahr 2001 wieder erheblich an. Zwar ist das Defizit seither erneut rückläufig, dessen Niveau ist mit über 50 000 pro Jahr aber immer noch beträchtlich. Dies gilt umso mehr, als – wie der vorliegende Beitrag zeigt – der Großteil der Abwanderung im Alter von 18-30 Jahren stattfindet, vorwiegend Personen mit überdurchschnittlicher schulischer Bildung betrifft und häufig zu Ausbildungsbeginn oder zum Berufsstart erfolgt. Da andererseits die Zuwanderung seit Jahren auf annähernd gleichem Niveau verharrt und sich in der Bildungsstruktur nicht wesentlich von der Abwanderung unterscheidet, entsteht in der Folge ein Humankapitalverlust, der sowohl Facharbeiter als auch Akademiker betrifft. Weil Westdeutsche überdies vergleichsweise selten in den Osten ziehen, um eine Ausbildung zu beginnen bzw. die berufliche Karriere zu starten, ergibt sich für diese Kategorie ein besonders deutliches Defizit, was negative Konsequenzen vor allem für das zukünftige Potential an Mittel- und Hochqualifizierten in den neuen Bundesländern haben dürfte.
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Korean unification and banking system - An analysis in view of German experiences and Korean differences
Ralf Müller
IWH Discussion Papers,
No. 139,
2001
Abstract
One of the reforms that have to be launched in a future unification process in Korea, which seems possible after the political negotiations last year, is the transformation of the North Korean banking system. The question arises whether Korea could profit from the German experience where banking transformation was one of the rather few success stories in unification. In 1990 the East German banking transformation was achieved relatively fast and uncomplicated due to considerable direct investments of the West German banks compounded with state guarantees for bad loans resulting from the credit business with existing GDR-corporations. Unfortunately, South Korea currently lacks some major prerequesites that contributed to the German banking unification, among them – and probably the most important one – is the lack of a sound and efficient banking
system that could become active in the North. Consequently, depending on the circumstances of a future Korean unification either a more gradual process is recommended or, if inner-Korean migration requires a more dynamic transition, considerable investment by foreign banks and assistance from international organisations is recommended.
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Regional Unemployment Differentials and Internal Migration in Hungary
Jutta Günther
South East Europe Review,
No. 1,
2000
Abstract
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