Age patterns of migration among Korean adults in the early 20th century Seoul

PWP-CCPR-2013-002

Abstract

In this study, we examined the age patterns of migration among adults who were living in Seoul in the early 20th century. We used information, which we obtained from the Seoul household registers, on the length of time these adults lived in their current residence to estimate age-specific migration rates and construct migration life tables. Our findings point to the following: First, migration rates among Seoul residents were high. On average, Seoul residents in the early 20th century moved more than six times during their primary working age (15-64). Second, individuals in the upper class were more mobile than those in the lower class. While those in the upper class moved more than eight times between ages 15 and 65, those in the lower class moved fewer than six times. This class differential can be explained by frequent duty changes among Korean bureaucrats during this period. Third, household composition also mattered for migration rates. The implications of our findings are discussed.