I'm guessing astazangasta is objecting less to the statistics of how many people stay in their hometown, and more to the pejorative framing of that as "sitting"

I'm guessing astazangasta is objecting less to the statistics of how many people stay in their hometown, and more to the pejorative framing of that as "sitting" and "vegetating". Which strikes me as a fair point. I'm sure there are lots of positives to staying near family and friends, and if you have stronger community ties you may well be more active in that community.