During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an urban exodus – a shift away from cities, according to
During the pandemic-driven migration away from cities, families with children stood out as a significant group choosing to relocate, largely due to concerns about COVID-19.
However, it remains unclear whether the spread of the virus influenced the factors that shaped their choice of new destinations, as this aspect has yet to be thoroughly studied.
Prof. Kato wrote about his study and findings in the peer-reviewed academic journal Population, Space and Place (citation below).
Professor Kato studied why families with children relocated during the pandemic and how COVID-19 influenced their choice of where to live. He examined how things changed from before the pandemic to during the pandemic, focusing on how different life stages influenced these changes.
Professor Kato used an online questionnaire to recruit study participants.
Study Results
The results showed that social connections became more important when people decided where to live. Key factors included:
- How welcoming a community was.
- Strong social ties.
- The desire to return home.
- Being close to friends and family.
The affected groups were not strongly influenced by work, housing, and the overall living environment. In this context, the term “affected groups” refers to the people who relocated or were influenced by the pandemic when deciding where to live.
Prof. Kato said:
“It is time to use our shared knowledge to examine the social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study’s findings suggest that households with children prioritized migration destinations that foster social interaction and enhance their overall appeal.”
Some Facts – COVID-19 in Japan
Below are some facts regarding the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan:
- First case: January 2020.
- Total cases by March 20245: Approximately 70 million.
- Total deaths: Around 132,000 as of August 2023. (aa.com.tr)
- Peak daily cases: Over 200,000 on July 20, 2022. (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
- State of emergency declared four times between 2020 and 2021. (statista.com)
- Vaccination: 82.1% received first dose by August 2022. (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
- Highest infections by age: 20-29 years as of March 2022. (statista.com)
- Omicron variant led to a sharp increase in cases from January 2022. (statista.com+1pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+1)
Citation
Kato, H. (2024). Shifting migration determinants for family households with children from a life-course perspective. Population, Space and Place, 31(1), e2869. https://doi.org/10.1002/psp.2869