Migration survey reveals more students, women emigrating from Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Migration Survey (KMS) 2023 reveals a significant increase in student migration, evidence of saturation in foreign migration, an increase in the number of returning emigrants, growth in female emigration, and a surge in remittances to Kerala following the COVID-19 pandemic.

The KMS-2023 report, prepared by the International Institute of Migration and Development (IIMAD) - Thiruvananthapuram, is going to be presented on Friday at the Loka Kerala Sabha, an event held by the Kerala state government to bring together Malayali diaspora residing around the world.

According to the study, the number of emigrants from Kerala is anticipated to be 2.2 million, which is around the same as the 2.1 million registered in the KMS 2018. This steadiness in international migration over the last five years is noteworthy in light of the overall downward trend noted in prior rounds of KMS. The global Malayali diaspora is believed to be 5 million, whereas 3 million Malayalis live outside of Kerala but within India.

While there is a small rise of 32,388 emigrants in 2023 compared to 2018, nine of Kerala's fourteen districts had a significant decrease in emigrant numbers, suggesting that overseas migration has reached saturation. The current round of KMS is expected to decrease more, although a notable increase in student emigration has helped to keep emigration levels relatively stable, Indian Express reported.

According to the report, there were over 250,000 student emigrants in 2023, double the 129,763 that there were in 2018. “This notable increase in student emigration underscores a significant shift in the demographics of emigrants from Kerala, wherein there has been an increase in the number of emigrants leaving at a very young age, as early as 17 years,” said the report.

According to the KMS 2023, students make up 11.3% of all emigrants. from Kerala, suggesting that more and more young people are making the decision to leave their home country in order to pursue higher education overseas. Between 2018 and 2023, the percentage of female emigrants increased from 15.8% to 19.1%. Female migration has shifted from GCC countries to Europe and other Western nations as destinations, accounting for 40.5%.