Determinants of Internal and External Immigration to the Canary Islands

Abstract

HERNANDEZ ALEMAN A. and LEON C. J. Determinants of internal and external immigration to the Canary Islands, Regional Studies. This paper analyses the determinants of internal and external immigration to the Canary Islands, within the impacts of the regulatory changes in Spain's immigration policy. It utilizes a structural equations system approach for both internal and external immigration. The results show that immigration policies have had a positive impact on immigration flows, and that major economic variables have played a more relevant role than the pleasant climate. However, external immigration has been more affected by the pleasant weather than internal immigration. The positive impact of previous immigration raises doubts about the potential efficiency of the family reunion policy.