Internal migrations and their link to spatial diversification of rural socio-economic development

Abstract

The balance of internal migration within Polish rural areas is close to zero, however an analysis of spatial differentiation of migration processes reveals an interesting trend. Certain areas show a permanents tendency and a predominance of migration outflow over inflow, while other areas prove a predominance of migration inflow over outflow. In this way internal migrations become a factor increasing the differentiation of the population in rural areas.Areas with an increased population density are a result of internal migrations. This process occurs within areas close to large and medium cities. Areas with decreasing population density are on the peripheries of urban networks. Two regions of Poland, at the same time can show the relatively small contribution to the inter migration processes. One of these is Wielkopolska (Greater Poland), which is characterized as having a relatively high level of development of non-rural functions in rural areas. The second one is the historical region once known as Galicia with its small farms and a fixed pattern of combining farm with non farming incomes (either as individuals or as members of a household).