Network migration of ethnic Germans

"This study has argued that network migration is central to actual migratory movements, which suggests that its determinants should be carefully investigated. The analysis demonstrates that the network behavior of ethnic Germans can be explained, to a large degree, by observable characteristics. Two crucial variables were investigated, namely the connections to friends from the country of origin and the settlement close to relatives and friends. East Europeans, especially from Rumania, are significantly more connected to friends from the same country of origin than are East Germans. These connections strongly decline with duration of residence and presence in rural areas. Older people are more likely to settle close to friends or relatives at the time of immigration. Population density increases, education, length of stay in a reception camp, and per capita government expenditures decrease the likelihood of such a settlement."