Student Migration from Kerala, India to Destinations in the Global North: Analysis and Policy Implications

Abstract

The state of Kerala in India is known for its model of development and attainment of high human development indicators including the highest literacy rate in India. Yet, Kerala is overwhelmed by high unemployment and the outmigration of its residents for opportunities abroad. The popular route of migration from Kerala to the countries of the Persian Gulf has contributed immensely to the financial well-being of the state through remittances for decades. However, in recent years, a decline in the trend of Gulf migration and an increase in the trend of migration of youth to countries of the global north as students is observed in Kerala. This paper analyzed the underlying reasons behind the increased levels of student migration and some of its resulting social and economic impacts on Kerala using a theoretical framework that combines hypotheses based on the push and pull models of migration. The study demonstrates that the decision to migrate may not always be rational, due to the influence of fluctuating factors that transform over time. Meanwhile, the analysis of the currently observable factors fundamentally identifies this wave of migration as a movement of people toward opportunity and a better standard of living compared to what is available in Kerala. Additionally, the perception and knowledge of the conditions in the origin area and destination areas contribute heavily to migration decision-making. In the meantime, concerns about an ageing population, and further economic stagnation reverberates in Kerala as it is losing its young population. Nevertheless, uncertain economic conditions at destination countries also do not rule out the small possibility of a return migration of this stream back to Kerala.