Migration within England and Wales (and into and out of the UK) declined during the 1970s, reversing the 1960s trend towards increased mobility. The decline can be seen in up-to-date migration figures from the National Health Service Central Register, and is confirmed by other data sources. Associated changes in three economic factors (unemployment, personal income, and housing costs) suggest that the decrease in mobility was caused by the economic recession. The monitoring of these three factors may permit more accurate projection of further shifts in migration rates. Now that births roughly equal deaths, planning authorities require accurate migration estimates to help them to match population, services, and infrastructure. © 1979.
