RETIREMENT MIGRATION: A New Facet of a Recent Phenomenon Apostolos G. PAPADOPOULOS & Alexandra TRAGAKI Department of Geography, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece

Paper structure Introduction Theoretical remarks Migration in Greece - General context - Retired migrants Conclusions

Introduction Long functioning of migration in European history Long functioning of migration in European history New migratory forms and processes in Europe and especially Southern Europe New migratory forms and processes in Europe and especially Southern Europe Significant differences among various nations Significant differences among various nations Some reasons for that: new international divisions of labour, geopolitics, motivations of migrants, space-time technologies/flexibilities, forms of consumption Some reasons for that: new international divisions of labour, geopolitics, motivations of migrants, space-time technologies/flexibilities, forms of consumption

Introduction This paper aims at shedding light on retirement migration, which is a neglected facet of migration in Greece This paper aims at shedding light on retirement migration, which is a neglected facet of migration in Greece It offers an exploratory approach to this issue It offers an exploratory approach to this issue Elaborate on the available National Statistical Service (NSS) data from the recent census (2001) Elaborate on the available National Statistical Service (NSS) data from the recent census (2001) Demographic, socio-economic and ethnic characteristics of immigrants Demographic, socio-economic and ethnic characteristics of immigrants

Theoretical remarks There are new mobility strategies of migrants, deployed to achieve both economic and non- economic objectives There are new mobility strategies of migrants, deployed to achieve both economic and non- economic objectives Diverse groups of migrants (e.g. labour, family reunion, return, retired etc.) which do not remain discrete, but may transform one to another Diverse groups of migrants (e.g. labour, family reunion, return, retired etc.) which do not remain discrete, but may transform one to another Enormous diversity within single migrant categories Enormous diversity within single migrant categories Demographic situation of Europe: low fertility, longevity, increasing immigrant population Demographic situation of Europe: low fertility, longevity, increasing immigrant population

Theoretical remarks Southern Europe at the forefront: from a sending region to a destination region of migrants Southern Europe at the forefront: from a sending region to a destination region of migrants Main characteristics: illegal labour migrants, many nationalities, uncontrolled borders, restrictive policies, … receiving retired migrants Main characteristics: illegal labour migrants, many nationalities, uncontrolled borders, restrictive policies, … receiving retired migrants Retirement migration as international “amenity seeking” population flows needs reconsideration Retirement migration as international “amenity seeking” population flows needs reconsideration Retirement migration contains different components in Greece Retirement migration contains different components in Greece

Migration in Greece Greece is among the countries the most affected by the newly traced migratory routes Two migration phases: : emigration to Western Europe and N. America and repatriation : emigration to Western Europe and N. America and repatriation since 1990 : immigration, mainly from Balkans and Eastern Europe since 1990 : immigration, mainly from Balkans and Eastern Europe

The beginning of massive inflows of foreign origin coincided with …. the border-opening in Eastern Europe the border-opening in Eastern Europe the adoption of restrictive policies in the traditional host countries in West Europe the adoption of restrictive policies in the traditional host countries in West Europe economic restructuring of the country economic restructuring of the country social developments and modifications in life style social developments and modifications in life style profound demographic changes profound demographic changes

Selected Economic and Demographic Indicators of Greece,

Retired Migrants in Greece There are 43,805 non-native retirees (23,585 men and 20,220 women) There are 43,805 non-native retirees (23,585 men and 20,220 women) They represent 5.7% of total foreign population and 2.1% of total retired population They represent 5.7% of total foreign population and 2.1% of total retired population Non-native retired population consists of Non-native retired population consists of return migrants / repatriates older members of economic migrants’ families traditional retirement migrants economic migrants reaching retirement age

Retired Population is analysed in respect to the following characteristics ….  Ethnic composition  Age structure  Gender asymmetry  Migration motives  Spatial distribution

Nationality composition Most of retired immigrants originate from countries that some decades ago hosted Greek emigrants (USA, Canada, Australia, Germany, former USSR). Most of retired immigrants originate from countries that some decades ago hosted Greek emigrants (USA, Canada, Australia, Germany, former USSR). Significant proportion of retired immigrants from Turkey and Cyprus (Greek origins) Significant proportion of retired immigrants from Turkey and Cyprus (Greek origins) Numerous retirees from Albania, Bulgaria, Romania and Poland Numerous retirees from Albania, Bulgaria, Romania and Poland Note: The share of retired persons in the total number of foreigners varies across different nationalities varies across different nationalitiesvaries across different nationalities

Age structure of non-native retirees out of 10 retirees 6 are between are above 75 and 1 is less than 60 years out of 10 retirees 6 are between are above 75 and 1 is less than 60 years relatively high share of above 80 years relatively high share of above 80 years women have a younger age structure than men women have a younger age structure than men

Gender asymmetry Sex ratio varies considerably across different nationalities Sex ratio varies considerably across different nationalitiesdifferent nationalitiesdifferent nationalities Female population prevails among retirees from Eastern European countries Female population prevails among retirees from Eastern European countries the majority of retirees from the developed European and non-European countries and Albania are men. the majority of retirees from the developed European and non-European countries and Albania are men.

Migration Motives 1 out of 3 retirees has entered the country looking for work (concealed economic migrants); 1 out of 6 for family reunification and 1 out of 6 declares “other reason” 1 out of 3 retirees has entered the country looking for work (concealed economic migrants); 1 out of 6 for family reunification and 1 out of 6 declares “other reason” Significant differences across nationalities Significant differences across nationalities

Spatial distribution of foreign retired population retired immigrants are spatially distributed in a different way than the total immigrant population retired immigrants are spatially distributed in a different way than the total immigrant population high concentration in specific regions, such as the islands and mountainous areas high concentration in specific regions, such as the islands and mountainous areashigh concentration high concentration Settlement criteria vary across different nationalities Settlement criteria vary across different nationalities

Conclusions… Retirement migration cannot be dissociated from labour migration in Greece Retirement migration cannot be dissociated from labour migration in Greece – It is an evolving aspect of immigration – An aggregation of different migration trends A large share of retired migrants are returnees A large share of retired migrants are returnees More emphasis should be given to the age aspects of labour migration More emphasis should be given to the age aspects of labour migration Change of focus of migration research in Greece due to inclusion of retirement migration Change of focus of migration research in Greece due to inclusion of retirement migration

Conclusions… New dimensions of retirement migration should be systematically searched: New dimensions of retirement migration should be systematically searched: –“transmigration” / “coming-and-going” – their relation to labour migrants – the generational aspect – spatial concentration / geographical aspects – complexity of the issue (social security etc.) Further in-depth research is required!! Further in-depth research is required!!

Thank you for your attention!