The Impact of Family Background and Household Composition on Internal Migration: Evidence from the Netherlands

Andrea Colasurdo, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR)
Clara H. Mulder, University of Groningen
Diego Alburez-Gutierrez, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research

This study investigates the role of kin in shaping migration behavior, focusing on how the migration history of parents and the presence and characteristics of household members influence an individual's likelihood to migrate internally over time. We examine multiple generations and extended family networks to fully understand these dynamics. Utilizing the Historical Sample of the Netherlands, which provides comprehensive migration histories of individuals from 1850 to 1950 and detailed household compositions at each address, we analyze internal movements throughout the life course. Preliminary findings suggest that individuals with parents who have a migration background are more likely to move internally, indicating a potential intergenerational transmission of migration behavior. Living in intergenerational households appears to reduce the propensity to move. This work contributes to our understanding of migration patterns from a historical perspective, offering valuable insights for predicting future trends and understanding the long-term impacts of family networks on migration decisions.

Keywords: Internal Migration and Urbanization, Longitudinal studies , Historical Demography, Families, Unions and Households

See extended abstract.