Relocation to another region – living environment and employment play a key role in household choices

Relocations from one region to another were relatively small in number: between 2001 and 2006, only 6% of the population aged at least 5 years old relocated in this way. These relocations were due, depending on the case, to the continuation of studies, starting working life, seeking a new living environment... The scale of departure and arrival flows and the reasons for them allow the identification of six main regions. Ile-de-France was a key destination for migrants; it differed from other French regions due to its strong appeal for students and young professionals, while there were shortages of migrants in other age groups. Its employment potential and concentration of universities strongly influenced the migratory characteristics of regions close by. The Atlantic seaboard had extensive arrival flows from every age group. In many regions, arrivals were linked more to residential choices than economic attractiveness.