A Macroeconomic Analysis of Regional Migration in Finland, 1975-95

This study analyzes regional migration in the 85 Finnish subregions during the period 1975-95 using data on net in-migration rates. Both cross-section and panel data methods are employed. The regression analysis reveals that the direction of net in-migration flows can be explained by a set of regionally differing characteristics. Unemployment rates, tax rates, and the share of primary production affect net in-migration negatively, whereas the share of higher education and the growth of regional incomes have a positive effect. This indicates that regional disparities may not be alleviated by migration, but there is some evidence for a cumulative causation growth pattern induced by net in-mig…

Regional convergence across the Finnish provinces and subregions, 1960-94

This paper analyses the convergence of regional products in Finland using two different data sets. Firstly, β- and σ-convergence was estimated for the 12 Finnish provinces during 1960–94. Convergence was found to be strong in 1960–80, but after 1980 regional disparities started growing again. Secondly, a similar study was conducted for the 88 small-scale subregions in 1988–94. As with the provinces, the subregions’ relative growth performance and cross-sectional convergence dynamics were evaluated using Markov chain transition matrices. No clear evidence for σ- or β-convergence was found here, but the dynamic analysis revealed a rapidly evolving distribution of gross regional products. Thus…

Growth and regional convergence : evidence from the Finnish provinces and subregions, 1960 to 1994

Regional Labour Market Adjustment: Are Positive and Negative Shocks Different?

This paper investigates the evolution of regional disparities in Finland between 1988 and 1997. The analysis focuses on per capita GDP and its subcomponents, particularly labour productivity, jobs and population. The results show, first, that the evolution of labour productivity and the number of jobs account for the emerged regional divergence of per capita GDP during 1990-1995. Second, even though inter-regional migration tends to have convergent effects on regional per capita GDP, its effect was not strong enough during 1990-1995: the divergence of productivity and jobs dominated. Third%2C among divergent factors (productivity and jobs), manufacturing contributes the most to the divergen…

Migration Flows in Finland: Regional Differences in Migration Determinants and Migrant Types

The present study analyzes interregional migration flows in Finland during 1985-96 using a large sample from the longitudinal census data file. The regional concentration of population has sped up in recent years, and most migrants now head to five urban growth centers. The empirical analysis reveals that it is particularly the human capital component (young, educated individuals) that moves to, and stays in, the growth centers. They are attracted by the higher expected wages and employment chances. Conversely, some individuals, mainly older and less educated ones, move back to their original home regions. This countermovement reduces the speed of population concentration. Declining region…

Returns to scale in a matching model: evidence from disaggregated panel data

The returns to scale in the matching function play an important role in models with endogenous search effort. Due to positive externalities, increasing returns to scale in matching can support high or low activity equilibrium in the labour market. In this study, we examine this issue using panel data from Finnish employment offices. The study finds that the results from the Cobb–Douglas and translog specification are qualitatively different. The CD specification of the matching function exhibits constant returns to scale. The translog specification, in turn, exhibits increasing returns to scale. The elasticity estimate for returns, using the preferred specification and minimum and maximum s…

Regional labor markets in Finland: Adjustment to total versus region-specific shocks

This article analyses regional labor market adjustment in the Finnish provinces during 1976-2000. We investigate the inter-relations of employment, unemployment, labor force participation, and migration to see how a change in region-specific and total labor demand is adjusted. The analysis reveals that region-specific labor demand shocks adjust mainly via participation, whereas total shocks are adjusted by unemployment. The region-specific component of labor demand shock has shorter-lived effects on unemployment and participation, but its effect on employment is permanent. Conversely, total shocks leave no permanent effect. Migration is more important in the region-specific case where, afte…

The Role of Education in Self–Employment Success in Finland

This paper analyzes the effect of self–employed persons’ education on the success of their firms during the economic downturn and upturn of the 1990's. It is found that the business cycle affects the relative closure rates of firms run by self–employed with any level of education. Exit probability is lower for the highly educated during bust, but higher in boom. This is accounted for by two facts. First, running a small firm is argued to be a less attractive choice to wage work, particularly for the highly educated, due to lower earning prospects, less stable stream of earnings, and the cultural tradition of working in large corporations. Second, the highly educated faced a higher outside d…

Matching in thin labour markets: panel data evidence from Finland, 1991-2002

The matching function that postulates a relationship between the flow of new matches and stock of job seekers and vacancies has attracted considerable attention, both theoretical and empirical during the last decade. In this paper the properties of a matching function are examined by using a large panel data set from Finland. The data has a high frequency and it is highly disaggregated, comprising monthly data on 174 work-to-travel areas from a 12-year period between January 1991 and August 2002. We test for density effects, i.e. the importance of the size of markets on matching efficiency. The robustness and importance of our empirical findings are guaranteed by the quality of data. First …

Migration and Individual Earnings in Finland: A Regional Perspective

Attention has recently focused on the rapidly increasing pace and regional concentration of migration in Finland. Most migrants head to the growth centre regions located mainly in the southern parts of the country. This study investigates the effects of moving on individuals, and compares the post-move incomes across the Finnish regions. Significant regional differences in the types of inmigrants and their incomes are observed. The results indicate that, in general, migrants tend to benefit from moving in the form of higher post-move incomes. In particular, individuals who move to relatively rich regions have higher levels of income succeeding the move and also experience faster income grow…

Unemployment and Migration: Does Moving Help?

Abstract The migration behaviour of the unemployed in Finland is analysed in terms of the causal effectof moving on individual employment status. In 1994, 17 percent of the labour force wasunemployed and the unemployment rate exhibited a very slow decline in 1994–1996. Overhalf of those who were unemployed at the end of 1994 were still unemployed two years later.The propensity to find a job is somewhat greater among migrants. However, the positive effectof moving diminishes once other personal characteristics are accounted for. Moreover, whencontrolling for endogenous migrant selectivity, an insignificant or even negative effect onemployment status emerges. This indicates that the relatively …