A Study on determinants of youth migration in Sri Lanka with a special reference to undergraduates and fresh graduates

Abstract

Migration is extensively explored due to its significant impact on a country's economy and development, especially during crisis situations. Sri Lanka has seen a surge in international migration among young adults, owing to recent adverse events like civil war, political instability, and economic crises, prompting them to seek better living conditions in developed countries. This study is designed to investigate the determinants of youth migration in Sri Lanka by preliminary employing regression analysis. Building upon empirical evidence, the study examined youth migration determinants under three levels, where micro and meso-level factors were analyzed using primary data and macro-level factors were analyzed using secondary data. Fresh graduates and final-year undergraduates were considered as a representative sub- segment of Sri Lankan youth for the primary data analysis. A questionnaire was developed using past literature and exploratory factor analysis to use as the primary data collection instrument in the study and accordingly researcher could collect data from 432 respondents. Extending the findings of primary data analysis, the study also employed secondary data to analyze the youth migration phenomenon, considering national youth departure count reported from 1992 to 2022 as the response variable. Results showed that 67% of respondents had strong to very strong intentions to migrate, with family ties as the primary deterrent. Concerns about finances or skills were minimal among young adults, suggesting confidence in their ability to navigate a foreign landscape. The results showed that education, career, and psychical and psychological security (preservation) are key micro-level drivers of migration intentions. While social networks showed a low propensity to migrate, family was found to be a significant meso-level predictor. At the macro-level, an inverse relationship was found in between youth unemployment and youth migration whereas, the relationship was positive between per capita growth rate and youth migration. The research concludes that addressing youth migration in Sri Lanka requires a multifaceted approach involving young individuals and policy makers in order to create a desirable environment that will reverse brain drain and unlock Sri Lanka's full potential