Differences between Return and Nonreturn Migration: An Econometric Analysis.

Several hypotheses are tested empirically with multiple regression analysis using data from 1960 Census on return and nonreturn interdivisional migration for males aged 25-29: (1) Persons who have migrated before are more likely to move again than those who have never migrated. (2) Return migration should be less sensitive than nonreturn to higher earnings opportunities. (3) Economic variables should explain greater proportion of variance in nonreturn migration. (4) The information and psychic costs of return move should be lower; hence distance should be less of a deterrent to return moves, compared with nonreturn moves. (5) Financing may be less important consideration in return migration. (6) Men separating from Armed Services may be a substantial portion of return migration. (7) Unemployment may prompt a person to return home. (8) Black migrants should be less likely to return south than their white counterparts. The regression equations support most of the hypotheses and indicate that return and nonreturn migrants respond differently and should be treated separately. 20 pp. Bibliog.