A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Residential mobility and social capital: Regional analysis in Finland




AuthorsJokela Markus; Soini Eetu; Laakasuo Michael; Parikka Suvi; Rotkirch Anna; Hämäläinen Hans

PublisherWiley

Publication year2025

JournalPopulation, Space and Place

Journal name in sourcePopulation, Space and Place

Article numbere2857

Volume31

Issue1

ISSN1544-8444

eISSN1544-8452

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1002/psp.2857

Web address https://doi.org/10.1002/psp.2857

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/458935206


Abstract

Multiple factors can influence the rates of residential mobility flows between different regions of a country. Studies have often focused on demographic and economic factors, but social conditions may be relevant as well. We examined whether different indicators of social capital (i.e., social support, loneliness, social trust, community participation, cultural activities, and meeting other people) were associated with population migration rates across 299 municipalities of Finland. Data for the social characteristics were derived from the Regional Health and Wellbeing study (n = 100,750 respondents) aggregated to the level of municipalities using multilevel regression with post-stratification (median number of participants was 115 individuals per municipality, range from 5 to 10,616). Residential mobility rates were derived from census data. Municipalities with higher levels of social support, higher social trust, more cultural activities, and more frequent social contacts had higher net migration rates, that is, more people moving in than out of the municipality. Social support, cultural activities, and community participation were associated with higher in-migration. Social trust and frequency of meeting people were associated with lower out-migration. The findings provide empirical support for the hypothesis that regions with stronger social capital are more attractive destinations for within-country residential mobility.


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Funding information in the publication
The study is part of the NetResilience consortium funded by the Strategic Research Council of the Academy of Finland (grant numbers 345186, 345184, 345183, and 364384). The INVEST flagship at the University of Turku is funded by the Academy of Finland (Grant number 320162). The funding organizations and/or sponsors had no role in the design and conduct of the study; in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of the data; and in the preparation, editing, or censuring of the manuscript.


Last updated on 2025-27-03 at 13:08