Recent research on internal migration highlights the importance of considering
social dimensions such as the deterrent effects of nativity concentration
on the migration of the foreign-born. Most of these studies are focused on the
experiences of immigrant men in the United States. The aim of this study is
to explore this relationship in a developing country and to compare the
experiences of both men and women using a dynamic framework. Using lifehistory
data I examine the effects of ethnic concentration on the first migration
experiences of men and women in Peninsular Malaysia between 1951
and 1988. I found that (1) ethnic concentration deters the migration of both
men and women, (2) the deterrent effect of co-ethnic concentration is
stronger for non-Malay women, while the effect was similar for Malay and
non-Malay men, and (3) the New Economic Policy had a positive effect only
on the migration of Malay men.