1161 | 760 | Understanding patterns of internal migration in Latvia during COVID-19 pandemic | Janis Krumins, Maris Berzins, Zaiga Krisjane
The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly changed our daily lives in ways that might have far-reaching effects on societal norms and human behaviour. Existing empirical studies has focused on the impacts on mortality, fertility and mobility restrictions imposed because of the pandemic. The global coronavirus pandemic has generated growing interest in studying internal migration as the main driver of population redistribution within countries. Within the scope of this research, we aim to analyse the extent of change in the patterns of internal migration across the urban hierarchy and regions of Latvia. To assess the dynamic, we compare migration flow statistics from the three pre-COVID-19 (2017-2019) and three successive years since the COVID-19 outbreak in Latvia (2020-2022). The analysis identifies similar patterns regarding internal migration activity among observed geographical units. In both time periods, the highest migration levels have been witnessed around Riga and several other large cities. Comparing these time periods highlights slightly higher migration intensity after the COVID-19 outbreak than in the years preceding it.
Janis Krumins, Maris Berzins, Zaiga Krisjane
University of Latvia, Faculty of Geography and Earth Sciences
ID Abstract: 760