Analysis of Factors Affecting Internal Migration in Turkey: Spatial Panel Data Analysis

Immigration, which includes many different phenomena, results mainly in economic, environmental, social and cultural aspects. This study examines the effect of push and pull factors of internal migration in Turkey. In the 12 sub-regions of NUTS Level 1, the effects of various variables on internal migration for the period 2008-2017 were handled with spatial panel data models considering the spatial relationship between regions. Regions were divided into two groups as migration and emitter and the effects of the variables in the models were examined separately. Findings of the study, there are spatial relations in the field of emigration and immigration in Turkey. In other words, it shows that the migration structure of the neighboring region has a significant effect on the migration movement of the related region. Migration in regions, is more than Turkey's average per capita income, increased employment and diversity of processed agricultural fields was obtained a positive relationship between migration. In migration regions, unemployment, imports and per capita income are the leading drivers. In particular, backwardness in the field of health and education has been the most important problem of the migrant regions. In addition, the insufficiency of suitable agricultural areas and the inability to generate income in this area have been an important factor in the migration of the population living in these regions.