PRIMARY, RETURN AND ONWARD MIGRATION IN THE US AND CANADA - IS THERE A DIFFERENCE

Using microdata sources available from the U.S. Census Bureau and Stat istics Canada, this paper contrasts primary, return and onward migrati on in the two countries. These classifications are based on informatio n on the region (state or province) of birth and region of residence a t the start and end of the census period. To study the propensities to make a primary, return or onward migration, rates are calculated acco rding to Long (1988) and compared with previous census periods. Analys is reveals that both countries have experienced similar temporal patte rns, and that primary, return and onward migration patterns tend to be similar. Analysis using a nested legit model further reveals that ret urn and onward migration in both countries can be similarly explained.