Relative Deprivation and Inter-regional Migration: The Turkish Case (Göreli Yoksunluk ve Bölgeler Arası Göçler: Türkiye Örneği)

Relative deprivation hypothesis asserts that the individuals’ migration decisions are affected not from their absolute income levels, but from their relative position to the reference group living in the same region. The aim of this study is to test the validity of the relative deprivation hypothesis for Turkey. In other words, the study aims to analyze the effects of regional inequalities on inter-regional migration flows. In the study, the determinants of inter-regional migration flows are analyzed for the regions defined at the İBBS 1st level. Inter-regional migration flows are calculated by Turkish Statististical Institute and are only available for the 2008-2012 period, so the study covers this period. The findings of this study reveal that, inter-regional migration flows are not affected by regional inequalities in Turkey, but absolute income level is important.