Counterurban Stayers of Sweden: A Survival Analysis

Abstract Contemporary literature underscores the demographic and economic stagnation of non-urban areas, driven by ongoing urbanization and the associated outflow of human capital. Although counterurban migration has long been proposed as a potential remedy, empirical studies on its long-term consequences remain limited, particularly regarding individuals who remain in these areas over time. This study investigates the determinants of staying duration among counterurban migrants in Sweden, focusing on those who relocated from metropolitan to non-metropolitan regions between 2006 and 2010. By employing administrative data and a quantitative analytical framework, it explores how individual and regional characteristics jointly influence post-migration residential stability. Recognizing that counterurban migrants may introduce new social and economic dynamics to their destination regions, the study further considers how these influences evolve through prolonged residence and stronger local integration. It also examines regional fit and stable matching outcomes across different migrant subgroups and destination types, contributing to a more nuanced understanding of counterurban migration and its role in regional restructuring. JEL classifications: I31, J21, J23, J24, O15, R23