Determinants of Internal Migration in Poland and Development Disparities between Voivodeships

Abstract

Purpose | The article provides a further contribution to the discussion on the causes of developmental disparities among Poland’s voivodeships. It analyses the impact of foreign investment, income disparities and the size of EU structural funds on the internal migration, which is one of the factors shaping the development disparities between voivodships. Research method | The aim of the article is to determine the significance of the internal migration as a determinant shaping the developmental potential of the Polish voivodeships. The article analyses statistical data using Pearson’s correlation and a critical review of the literature. The time frame of the analysis covers the years 2016–2022. Statistical data from the Central Statistical Office (GUS) were used for the research. Results | The Polish voivodeships exhibit significant developmental disparities. During the studied period, these disparities did not decrease despite EU funds flowing into the poorest voivodeships. The internal migration in Poland is characterised by the movement of people from less developed voivodeships to the most developed ones. Foreign investments are concentrated in Poland’s voivodeships with the highest developmental potential, strongly shaping the labour market. The directions of the internal migration are strongly influenced by the directions and volume of foreign investments as well as by the income levels in individual voivodeships. Originality / value / implications / recommendations | The value of the study lies in demonstrating the ineffectiveness of fiscal policy tools used in Poland to equalise the development differences between provinces in the context of the internal migration patterns and volumes.