What does geographic mobility refer to?

Geographic mobility refers to the ability of individuals to move from one location to another in pursuit of job opportunities. This concept plays a crucial role in labor economics, as it allows workers to seek employment in areas where jobs are more abundant or where they may find better compensation and career advancement. Geographic mobility can also contribute to the overall efficiency of the labor market by aligning workers with available job openings in different regions, thus helping to reduce unemployment in specific areas while addressing labor shortages in others.

While working remotely is an increasingly relevant aspect of the modern job market, it does not pertain to the physical relocation of a worker. The ability to switch jobs and the ability to change industries, while important for career development, do not directly imply a change in geographic location. Therefore, the focus of geographic mobility is specifically on the physical movement of individuals for employment purposes.