Brussels, 08/12/2006 (Agence Europe) - Only 4% of EU citizens have ever moved to another European country and less than 3% to another country outside the EU, according to a study by the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions. By far the most common motive for moving is for reasons of employment, it finds. There are wide variations, however, from country to country. In the new Member States, factors relating to employment, such as wages (59%), working conditions (57%) and the opportunity to discover new things (30%), are the main reasons. In the former EU15, the reasons people give for wanting to move are more related to lifestyle and fun: discovering new environments (64%), and meeting new people (39%). A quarter of respondents in the old Member States felt that “better weather” was a serious reason for changing country. The Foundation's Director Jorma Karppinen said this lack of geographical mobility would have a negative effect on EU competitiveness and labour market adaptability. He also felt that the problems arising from the brain and youth drain could have serious consequences for the poorest regions of Eastern Europe, while the rich regions will have to face up to the challenge of integrating migrant workers. (bc)