Conference Participation

Continuing Inequality and Economic Justice Examined in Different Contexts

Paper: Stuck in Place: Race, Inequality and Residential Immobility in South Africa

Abstract: This study uses longitudinal data to identify factors that drive urban household mobility among adult residents in South Africa from 2008 to 2017. Panel data regression analysis reveals that mobility between waves is prompted by poor dwelling quality (both structural integrity and maintenance regularity) and insecure tenure in the previous period, as well as changes in employment status, and shifts in marital status between survey waves. Additionally, the findings indicate that mobility patterns are selective based on age, income, and race. Individuals from more affluent households are more likely to move than their poorer counterparts, younger individuals are significantly more likely to move than older individuals, and white individuals are more likely to move than any other race group in South Africa. The study also presents evidence that suggests that many individuals are stuck in place in poor-quality neighborhood characterised by high levels of violence and gang activity, despite signaling intentions to move. Relative immobility and relatively constrained neighbourhood choice options may contribute to lowered levels of life satisfaction. Descriptive analysis of the pooled sample shows that 37 percent of black movers report lower levels of satisfaction after a move, compared to 21 percent of white movers.

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