Conference Agenda

While much of the existing literature has concentrated on youth migration due to their role as drivers of economic growth, research on later-life internal migration has gained attention only recently. This growing interest is largely driven by the aging of larger cohorts who are entering later life with better health and higher incomes than previous generations. This study investigates later-life geographical mobility in Europe, focusing on residential and interregional moves among adults aged 50 to 75. Using longitudinal data from wave 7 of the SHARE survey (2017), the analysis examines migration histories, family dynamics, health, and employment conditions for individuals born between 1930 and 1969 across 11 European countries. The findings indicate that mobility decreases with age and is more common in Northern and Central Europe than in Southern and Eastern countries. Family status emerges as a key determinant of mobility, surpassing employment-related factors. Individuals who live alone, are separated or widowed, or experience poor health are significantly more likely to move, often due to the need for family support or care. These results underscore the critical role of family dynamics and health in shaping later-life mobility patterns, particularly in cases involving severe health decline or institutionalization.

The aim of this work is to evaluate gender differences in the enrolment choices of the Sicilian high school graduates. Using a linkage of data from two Italian administrative sources (2021/22 a.y.), we apply a multinomial model to study the interplay between gender, socioeconomic status, and area of origin in the transition from high school to university. The results show that males and females make different choices based on their area of origin, especially among those from less privileged social backgrounds.

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.

This study examines the relationship between moving intentions and fertility expectations among students, considering the implications for depopulation dynamics. The research explores whether students intending to stay where they live have different fertility expectations compared to those planning to move elsewhere. The study addresses two main questions: (1) Whether moving intentions correlate with fertility expectations; (2) to what extent personal life goals drive this association. To answer these questions, we used primary collected data through an ad-hoc questionnaire administered to students from the University of Messina during the spring of 2024. We selected 713 students aged 18-44 and applied ordered-probit regression models to examine the effect of moving intentions on fertility expectations. Preliminary findings indicate that students who intend to stay in the place where they live are more likely to exhibit higher fertility expectations relatively to students who desire to relocate. This is particularly true when family formation is a prioritized goal. These insights contribute to understand population dynamics in depopulated areas and suggest that policies fostering local opportunities could enhance family formation among young adults.

This research evaluates the effectiveness of Italy's National Strategy for Inner Areas (SNAI 2014-2020) in countering systemic depopulation in Emilia-Romagna, Abruzzo, and Basilicata. Using the SyDAs index - developed through ARIMA models - municipalities experiencing structural demographic decline were identified for the periods 1994-2014 and 1994-2023.

The results show that only 9 of the 152 municipalities classified as SyDAs in 2014 had overcome this condition by 2023. Significantly, most of these cases (such as Portico e San Benedetto in Emilia-Romagna and Barrea in Abruzzo) were not included in SNAI project areas. Statistical analysis using the Cochran-Armitage test detected no significant association between SNAI funding levels (classified from 0 to 4) and exit from systemic depopulation (p>0.05 in all three regions).

These results demonstrate that SNAI's current approach, primarily focused on improving access to essential services, has not produced significant effects on systemic depopulation. The observed improvements appear linked to dynamics independent of the implemented interventions. The study concludes by highlighting the need to rethink policies for inner areas, integrating approaches more specifically targeted to demographic dynamics, with particular attention to the structural factors driving population decline.