DEMOGRAPHIC CYCLE EFFECTS ON MIGRATION TIMING AND THE DELAYED MOBILITY PHENOMENON

This paper examines the effect of a cohort's size and position in the demographic cycle on the timing of migration during the young, labor f orce years. Previous literature has shown that demographic cycles are highly influential in determining the level of migration: migration pr opensities of young adults tend to be lower for large cohorts due to c ompetitive labor markets and depressed job opportunities. This study a rgues that demographic cycles can also influence the timing of migrati on, and proposes a methodology that separates the examination of migra tion levels from that of migration timing. Analyses using Current Popu lation Survey data show that members of small cohorts tend to move ear lier on in their life cycle than members of large cohorts. Reconstruct ed age-schedules of migration for large and small cohorts support the existence of ''delayed mobility'' among baby boomers.