Internal migration of the Maltese population : an application of a mathematical model

Abstract

This paper is an attempt at statistical modeling, based on the Rogers and Castro migration model. The data used which are derived from the 1995 Census of Population and Housing regarding internal migration provided a basis for analysis of parity of migration, computation of respective gross migraproduction rates as well as compilation of reports on the outcomes of statistical modeling. Seven parameters of the double exponential equation are estimated by means of non-linear regression analysis. The author demonstrates that internal migration needs to be further examined and the research findings need to be applied, since internal migration directly contributes to the processes of: (a) depopulation (the Inner Harbour Region), (b) aging (Gozo and Comino and the Inner Harbour Region) and (c) concentration and population increase (the Northern and the Western Region).