Asian Economic and Financial Review, 2014, 4(3):355-360 355 AN EMPIRICAL TEST OF INCOME DISTRIBUTION AND MIGRATION RELATIONSHIP: A CASE OF TURKEY 1 Okyay UCAN Ass. Prof, Nigde University Department of Economics, Nigde-Turkey F.Merve PARLAKYILDIZ Res. Ass, Cukurova University M.Basaran OZTURK Assoc.Prof, Nigde University ABSTRACT The relationship between migration and income distribution is an important phenomena. There are two types of migration: internal (in migration) and external (out migration). Both of them are because of politic, economic and social reasons. Here both of them are considered inside Turkey. Data is chosen from 2008-2012 periods for the 12 statistically divided regions in Turkey. Following the Panel unit root test, panel least square methods is used for the empirical part. As to result, it is concluded that for the 2008-2012 periods, migration has an adjusting role for 12 statistical regions in Turkey. Keywords: Panel, Migration, Income distribution, Unit root, Turkey. JEL codes: B22, C23, F22 1. INTRODUCTION The concept of migration is defined as geographically change of abode for the purpose of settle down (Çelik, 2007). There are two types of migration: internal (in migration) and external (out migration). Both of them are because of politic, economic and social reasons. Especially income and employment are the key elements that affect the migration (Filiztekin and Gökhan, 2008). In literature, there are many studies which emphasize that the migration head towards low income regions to high income regions, particularly arise from the income distribution and employment gap (Sjaastad Larry, 1962; Harris and Todaro Michael, 1970; Greenwood Michael, 1971). On the other hand there are a great number of studies which include that rural to urban 1 This paper is the revised version of the manuscript presented in 10th International Conference Developments in Economic Theory and Policy organized by University of Cambridge and University of Basque Country. Asian Economic and Financial Review journal homepage: http://aessweb.com/journal-detail.php?id=5002