Analyzing Mexico's Indigenous internal migration dynamics through network centrality measures, 1990–2020

Abstract

This study examines the internal migration patterns among Mexico's Indigenous population from 1990 to 2020. We begin by estimating the total interstate migration flows for Indigenous groups and employ an advanced interaction component model to identify migration flows that exceed expectations. This model allows us to detect significant deviations and patterns within the migration data. Additionally, we apply network analysis techniques to identify states that are central to these migration flows and categorize states into distinct communities based on their migration interactions. Our findings reveal that Indigenous migration exhibits higher-than-expected flows, particularly from the West Central and North regions of Mexico. By contrast, non-Indigenous migration shows greater flows, predominantly in the southern and central states. Through network analysis, particularly the use of eigenvector centrality, we identify Nayarit and Durango as key hubs for Indigenous migration, whereas Estado de Mexico and Ciudad de Mexico emerge as central nodes in non-Indigenous migration. Our study highlights the growing significance of Mexico's northern region, with Nuevo León playing a crucial role in Indigenous and non-Indigenous migration flow networks. This study's findings contribute valuable insights regarding the spatial dynamics of internal migration and the evolving migration patterns of Indigenous populations in Mexico.