The social stratification of internal migration and daily mobility during the COVID-19 pandemic

TL;DR

This study analyzes how socioeconomic status influenced internal migration and daily mobility patterns in Santiago de Chile during COVID-19, revealing complex, stratified behavioral shifts with implications for policy and urban planning.

Contribution

It provides novel insights into socioeconomic stratification of mobility behaviors during a pandemic using large-scale mobile phone data.

Findings

Lower-income groups increased daily mobility in 2020.

Higher-income groups showed more long-term relocation.

Economic factors influenced destination choices during COVID-19.

Abstract

This study leverages mobile phone data for 5.4 million users to unveil the complex dynamics of internal migration and daily mobility in Santiago de Chile during the global COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on socioeconomic differentials. Major findings include an increase in daily mobility among lower-income brackets compared to higher ones in 2020. In contrast, long-term relocation patterns rose primarily among higher-income groups. These shifts indicate a nuanced response to the pandemic across socioeconomic strata. Unlike in 2017, economic factors in 2020 influenced a change not only in the decision to emigrate but also in the selection of destinations, suggesting a profound transformation in mobility behaviors. Contrary to expectations, there was no evidence supporting a preference for rural over urban destinations despite the surge in emigration from Santiago during the pandemic. The study enhances our understanding of how varying socioeconomic conditions intersect with mobility decisions during crises and provides valuable insights for policymakers aiming to enact fair, informed measures in rapidly changing circumstances.