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ABSTRACT Previous studies focusing on the intra-distribution dynamics analysis have usually computed, in a Markov chain framework, discrete-time transition matrices. Such an approach, however, can involve some limitations, especially when using stock variables. In order to illustrate the importance of the time-scale issue when estimating transition matrices, this paper applies both discrete and continuous-time approaches to a set of cross-national European data on per capita wealth for the period 2000-10. The results reveal, on the one hand, that the continuous-time estimation provides a most accurate estimation of transition probabilities and, on the other, that the differences between both approaches are especially remarkable in the long-term equilibrium distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper tries to ascertain whether spatial contagion operated in international migration across neighbouring provinces in Spain during the 1998-2009 period. After a general depiction of the international migration distribution in Spain, the study focuses on the role played by space and, particularly, on the possible existence of geographical contagion effects. For this aim, two novel indexes of spatial contagion, based on a spatial Markov chain approach, are proposed. Two main results are drawn from the analysis: first, that spatial clustering exists in the distribution; second, that there are contagion effects, positive contagion among provinces surrounded by high-immigration provinces being the most significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]