Internal Migration in Israel

Uzi Rebhun , Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Within the framework of the IMAGE-Asia Project, which aims to compare internal migration across the countries of Asia, I prepared a comprehensive analysis of spatial movement in Israel. At the PAA meeting, I wish to present original findings for this country’s annual migration. Aggregate crude migration intensity has fluctuated over time. Years of exceptionally strong migration intensity are explained by the relocation of Soviet immigrants from temporary to permanent residence. Crude migration intensity is lower than ACMI and sharper in resolution reflecting, among other things, the effects of macro factors. Inter-district migration caused five districts to lose population in favor of a large ring around Tel Aviv, the country’s financial and cultural hub. Linear regressions show that while in the past less dense areas gained population from internal migration, more recently this outcome been reversed. I explain the findings in general and also account for differences between Jews and non-Jews.

See

 Presented in Session 7. Migration & Urbanization