Compositional and Temporal Dynamics of International Migration in the EU/EFTA, 2002-2007

Jack DeWaard, University of Wisconsin-Madison

The present study articulates a theoretical and empirical rationale for envisioning the temporal dynamics of international migration as a property of place, and subsequently develops some of the first country-level estimates of migrants’ average time of residence in 31 EU/EFTA countries from 2002-2007. Comparing these estimates to the percent foreign-born, a marker of migrants’ compositional exposure, I observe little overlap. High foreign-born concentrations do not entail more permanent stays, and render an incomplete picture of migration during a period in which the EU grew from 15 to 27 countries. The key theoretical and policy implications are discussed.