Internal migration in times of crisis in Brazil

Abstract

In a scenario marked by the economic crisis that has hit Brazil since 2011 - with rising unemployment and informality, after a decade when, despite the limited economic growth, there was observable generation of formal jobs and a relative de-concentration of regional economic activity between the country's regions -, this study aims to analyze the relationship between migratory flows and economic conjuncture; more precisely the impacts of the recent economic crisis on long (inter-regional), medium (intraregional) and short distance (intrastate) migration. To achieve this goal, the microdata of the National Research by Residence (PNAD) between 2005 and 2015 were the main sources of information. The results reinforce the importance of economic and demographic context for migratory dynamics. We verify a decrease in the volume of long and medium distance flow and the intensification of short distance flow, in addition to the return of migratory exchange rates between regions to patterns of previous decades, as well as the appearance of new areas attracting population.

Keywords:
Crisis; Migration; Inter-regional; Intraregional; Intrastate