While the effects of climate change on migration have attracted wide attention, comparative evidence on their role in internal migration remains scarce.
Using census-based data from 72 countries (1960–2016) and 107,840 migration flows between subnational regions, this study shows that increased drought and aridity significantly influence internal migration, particularly in hyper-arid and arid regions of Southern Europe, South Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and South America.
It is evident that migration patterns are shaped by the wealth, agricultural dependence, and level of urbanization of both origin and destination areas, with stronger responses in rural and agricultural regions.
And although climatic effects on migration are generally stronger in richer countries, poorer regions tend to experience higher out-migration toward wealthier areas within the same country.
Furthermore, age and education groups respond differently to climatic stress, revealing distinct mobility patterns across population subgroups and geographic contexts.
Learn more about this study here: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-024-02165-1
Reference
Hoffmann, R., Abel, G., Malpede, M. et al. Drought and aridity influence internal migration worldwide. Nat. Clim. Chang. 14, 1245–1253 (2024)