The Econometric Analysis of the Relationship Between Domestic Migration and Unemployment in Turkey for NUTS-2 Regions Scale

In this study, it was analysed whether there was a relationship between net migration rate and unemployment rate between the period 2008-2018 was analysed using panel data method within the scope of 26 Level 2 region and overall regional scale of Turkey. The findings of the study show differences both in terms of Level 2 regions and of the Regions in general. According to MGE test results, when the nets migration rate increases, the unemployment rate also increases in the short-term in TR21, TR41 and TR42 Level 2 regions of the Marmara Region. The unemployment rate shows an increase when migration also shows an increase in the TRA1 and TRA2 Level 2 regions of the Eastern Anatolia Region. Migrations to the TRC2 Level 2 region of the South-eastern Anatolian Region also increase the unemployment in this region. When there is an increase in the migration rate of TR61 and TR62 Level 2 regions of the Mediterranean Region, there is also an increase in the unemployment rate. A relationship between the variables of migration and unemployment rate cannot be seen in the short term of Level 2 regions of Aegean, Central Anatolian, and the Black Sea Regions. The results that were obtained for Marmara, Mediterranean, Black Sea, Eastern Anatolia, and South-eastern Anatolia – overall – indicated there was an increase in the unemployment rates in the short-term. According to FMOLS test results, the migration towards Marmara and Aegean Regions increases unemployment in the long-term. In the Mediterranean Region, unemployment shows an increase as the net migration rate increases in the long-term.