How exogenous shocks may shape regional quality of life: a dynamic perspective on migration determinants during the Covid-19 pandemic

Abstract Migration behaviour can offer insights into quality of life if we consider relocation as revealed preference for local conditions. However, the concept of quality of life is often treated rather statically in migration contexts. Especially in times of large exogenous shocks, such as the Covid-19 pandemic, local quality of life considerations may change, e.g. because certain location factors or amenities suddenly shift in relevance or new opportunities and trade-offs emerge. This paper proposes to consider quality of life in a dynamic perspective and implements a regression-based analysis of migration determinants across German NUTS-3 regions before and during the pandemic. The results suggest that determinants of migration patterns are not stable over time: migration after 2020 is attracted particularly to regions with less population density and more favourable housing conditions.