Residential patterns of in-migrants in Rīga

Janis Krumins

University of Latvia, Faculty of Geography and Earth Sciences

Maris Berzins

University of Latvia, Faculty of Geography and Earth Sciences

Zaiga Krisjane

University of Latvia, Faculty of Geography and Earth Sciences

DOI: 10.22364/fg.17.15

Keywords: internal migration, population distribution, Rīga

Abstract

Population distribution and internal migration are closely related to each other and are sensitive to changes that are evoked by various political, economic and social processes. The distribution of population sub-groups has been mostly studied in post-socialist cities in relation to ethnic and socioeconomic segregation. However, the importance of internal migration has been less investigated. This paper uses 2000 and 2011 census data and aims to evaluate the residential patterns of in-migrants in the neighbourhoods of Rīga. Key findings have revealed that levels of in-migrant concentration are higher in the inner city neighbourhoods, whereas the degree of activity is considerably lower in the city outskirts. Comparison of 2000 and 2011 patterns show a decrease of in-migration activity for more than half of the neighbourhoods, with the exception of numerous panel housing estates to the east from the inner city.