Country-internal migration and labour market activities of immigrants in Finland

Abstract

This article concentrates on the special features of country-internal migration of immigrants. These features include regional development such as the urbanisation rate, the specialisation of labour markets in general, and the human capital potential of immigrants in the form of education. The internal migration of immigrants within the country and the growth of urban centres are analysed on the national level by municipalities and, in more detail, in nine differently structured local labour market areas. The position of immigrants in the local labour market areas depends on their education and the active role they take in employment. Urban centres with developed, multi-structured labour markets have strengthened their edge over others in attracting the in-migrants from more peripheral areas in the sub-group of immigrants as in general, too. Internal and international migration are related to each other. The larger urban centres and refugee receiving municipalities play an important role in linking international and internal migration.