The Migration Intention of the Youth of Sri Lanka: A Concept Paper

Abstract

The idea that migration is at least partially about 'choice' is deeply ingrained in both academic thought and public policy. Recent contributions have viewed migration choice as a step-by-step process, with a distinction between "aspiration" and "ability" to migrate, while emphasizing a variety of economic and non-economic factors that influence migration choices. One of the major issues in Sri Lanka is youth emigration, which is defined as the act of leaving one's home country with the intention of settling elsewhere. Sri Lankan youth primarily emigrate to developed countries in search of better living conditions. Emigration from Sri Lanka is a continuous process caused by a variety of factors. Studies related to youth migration are acute in Sri Lankan context. The concept paper proposes to conduct a study to investigate migration intention of Sri Lankan youth.