The Effects of Ethnic Concentration on Internal Migration in Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract

Recent research on internal migration highlights the importance of considering social dimensions such as the deterrent effects of nativity concentration on the migration of the foreign-born. Most of these studies are focused on the experiences of immigrant men in the United States. The aim of this study is to explore this relationship in a developing country and to compare the experiences of both men and women using a dynamic framework. Using life- history data I examine the effects of ethnic concentration on the first migration experiences of men and women in Peninsular Malaysia between 1951 and 1988. I found that (1) ethnic concentration deters the migration of both men and women, (2) the deterrent effect of co-ethnic concentration is stronger for non-Malay women, while the effect was similar for Malay and non-Malay men, and (3) the New Economic Policy had a positive effect only on the migration of Malay men.