Recent Residential Mobility in Spain

Abstract

This paper presents some of the main conclusions which can be drawn from internal migration in Spain. We have a double objective: on the one hand, to present the volume of flows and, on the other, to interpret observed patterns within them. The data originates mainly from the Residential Variations Statistics (official Spanish register of residential changes). The hypotheses are classified with a criterion for completeness: considering all possible alternatives. The findings show that the urban-centripetal flow ceased to be significant in the 1980s. Although in the first decade of the 21st century, all habitats grew, thanks to foreign immigration, cities registered negative migratory balances. By contrast, for the first time, rural areas recorded a positive demographic balance. The counterurban theories are called into question in light of recent data and of the classification used.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2016.v7n3s1p192