The determinants of internal migration in underdeveloped provinces of turkey: findings from the panel gravity model (2008-2013)

The objective of this study is to determine the determinants of internal migration, which is considered to be one of the most significant problems of Turkey, empirically with regards to underdeveloped provinces. Thus, panel data analysis based on gravity model, which is frequently used in studies concerning internal migration and international migration, is included in the study. The period of years between 2008 and 2013 is considered in the study based on data existence and analyses are carried out regarding the migrations carried out from underdeveloped provinces to developed, developing and underdeveloped provinces separately. In accordance with the results of panel gravity model used in the study, distance between the provinces, population, real GDP, ratio of graduates from high school or equivalents, amount of SO2 and number of convicts in penal institutions draw attention as the determinants of internal migration in underdeveloped provinces of Turkey. Study also presented significant effects of conterminous cities and cities that are center of attraction on internal migration. Therefore, empirical findings of the study present the necessity of implementation of policies aimed at reducing the regional imbalance in Turkey and of betterment of current policies in order to prevent internal migration.