• Coastal areas are proving the popular destination for internal migration across England and Wales. The attraction of living by the sea is represented by the fact that of the 20 local authorities (LAs) seeing the biggest increases in net internal migration between 1997 and 2007, 80 per cent are coastal areas.
• Suggesting that whilst city living still proves popular, many only stay for a limited number of years. Birmingham recorded both the highest internal inflow (315,600) of people and the highest outflow of people (403,600) between 1997 and 2007.
• As city living wears thin, 19 of the 20 LAs that saw the largest net fall in internal migration are located within cities.
• Could London be losing its appeal? Nine of the ten local authorities that experienced the biggest net drop in internal migration in England and Wales are in London. Overall, however, London's population increased over the period due to high levels of net international migration and 'natural change' (i.e. an excess of births over deaths).
Martin Ellis, Halifax economist, said: "There have been significant population movements across England and Wales during recent years. Coastal areas have proved to be popular destinations for people to move to as many people have sought to take advantage of the benefits of living near the sea.
The figures also highlight the transient nature of the population in many of our major cities. Birmingham, for example, recorded both the highest level of internal immigration and emigration in England and Wales."
