Migration of Youth from Kerala: A Growing Concern

One evening during the recent campaign period for the Kerala Legislative Assembly election campaign, several senior leaders of the Indian National Congress from Kerala sat together with the Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, for an informal coffee meeting. At first, the conversation was casual, but it quickly turned serious. The leaders started talking about a silent crisis that is happening slowly but is changing the future of Kerala.

One of them said something that made them worry: if young people keep migrating from Kerala at this high rate for the next 20 years, it could slowly turn the state of Kerala into an "old-age home." The statement sounded dramatic, but it was true for many families in the state. Every year, thousands of young people leave Kerala to study and work abroad. Airports are full of emotional farewells—parents hugging their children, promising to meet again soon, while secretly wondering if they will ever live together again.

Migration for education is not something new for Kerala. For decades, people from the state have travelled abroad in search of better opportunities. Earlier generations mainly moved to Gulf countries for jobs. Today, however, the pattern has changed. Instead of workers, it is students who are leaving the state in large numbers.

According to the Kerala Migration Survey, the number of students migrating abroad has grown rapidly in recent years. About 129,763 students from Kerala were studying abroad in 2018. That number had almost doubled to about 250,000 by 2023. More than 11% of all migrants from the state are now students.

The United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Germany are the most popular places to which Kerala youth migrate. Students are drawn to these countries because they have top-notch universities, more job opportunities, and clear paths to permanent residency.

Most students who migrate go for postgraduate education. Around 65 percent pursue master’s degrees, while about 31 percent leave for undergraduate studies. What is more striking is that many students leave Kerala at a very young age, sometimes as early as 17.

Why Are Students Leaving?

There are both social and economic reasons for this migration of youth from Kerala.

One of the biggest reasons for this migration of youth is that there aren't many seats available in Kerala's government colleges. Government schools are cheap and well-respected, but they are not able to handle the current growing number of students who want to pursue higher studies. Even if there are private colleges, many families can't afford them because the fees are often very high.

Another problem is that some university courses are out of date. Many students feel that some programmes do not align with the needs of the modern global job market. They want to explore new technologies, advanced research, and international work environments – opportunities they believe are easier to find abroad.

Unemployment is another strong push factor. Around 29 lakh registered unemployed persons were in Kerala in 2023. There are a lot of graduates who can’t find jobs matching their qualifications. Even with jobs, salaries are often much lower than international norms.

For this reason, students and their families view migration as an investment in the future.

The Attraction of Foreign Countries

While Kerala has push factors, foreign countries provide strong pull factors. The universities abroad are famous for their modern infrastructure, flexible courses, and research-oriented education. Students also get international exposure and opportunities to build global networks.

Many countries also have opportunities for post-study work visas and permanent residency. It increases the chance of students settling abroad after finishing their studies.

Family networks are another major consideration. Over the years, many Keralites have settled overseas. Their presence makes it easier for new students to migrate. In the transition, families often give guidance, lodging, or emotional support.

Loans and scholarships are also important. Now, banks provide education loans, which enable middle-class families to send their children abroad. Therefore, studying abroad has become easier than before. 

The Consequences of Migration

Migration offers opportunities, but it also poses serious challenges to the state of Kerala.

The first big problem is brain drain. When talented students leave the state and establish their careers abroad, the state loses valuable human resources. Doctors, engineers, scientists, and entrepreneurs are helping the economies of other countries rather than local development.

Another consequence is the ageing population. When large numbers of young people leave, the proportion of elderly people in the state increases. In many villages and towns, it is already common to see houses where only elderly parents live, while their children work or study abroad.

This demographic change has social consequences. Old people often suffer from loneliness and a lack of support. Families get together only rarely, because the members live in different parts of the world.

The economic effects of migration are mixed. On the positive side, the migrants send money back to Kerala. These remittances build up families and the economy of the state. As of the records of 2023 shows that the remittances to Kerala were approximately ₹216,893 crore.

But the high rate of loss of young professionals from the state over time could strongly weaken the local labour force of the state. Skilled workers could be hard to find in industries. And if talented young people keep leaving, innovation and entrepreneurship may also slow.

A Future to Think About

The state of Kerala may face a grave demographic problem in the upcoming decades if these current trends continue. Experts say the state could gradually become an ageing society or an old-age home within a few years, in which the number of elderly people outpaces that of young people.

This is the fear that was expressed in the meeting with Rahul Gandhi. If the trend continues for the next two decades without strong balancing policies, Kerala will slowly become a state of old people, with its youth seeking careers in other states. 

What Can Be Done?

This challenge calls for thoughtful policies and long-term planning.

First, the quality of higher education in Kerala should be improved. Universities should offer new courses that are in line with what businesses around the world need. More research opportunities and partnerships with overseas institutions can also motivate students to stay in the state.

Second, jobs have to be created. Good salaries and career growth are what young people need in jobs. Creating new jobs could be possible by encouraging entrepreneurship, startups, and technology industries. 

Thirdly, the government can introduce schemes to encourage the return of migrants. Incentives, research grants, or leadership roles in industry and education could be used to bring back skilled professionals who have worked abroad.

Lastly, students need better help with their careers. Not every student needs to move to succeed. There are many opportunities in India and Kerala if there are the right support systems.

Conclusion

The student migration from Kerala is a complex issue. It reflects the aspirations of the young people but also the challenges of the state. Studying abroad can bring you knowledge, exposure, and economic benefits, but if migration is uncontrolled, it can also bring social and demographic problems.

People in Kerala have always been known for being smart and skilled. The challenge now is to make sure this talent continues to add to the growth of the state itself. Kerala can convert migration from a problem into an opportunity if the right steps are taken today, where knowledge gained abroad finally returns to strengthen the land where it all started.