Migration is a phenomenon that leads to the displacement of human capital from one city to another and from one country to another, and this has wide-ranging implications for both countries. In the following report, we will discuss the migration of young generations from our country, Iran, and its reasons (internal, external, and globalization). There are multiple internal push factors and external pull factors involved in this phenomenon, which we will address.

Statistics on the rank and level of migration of Iranian youth.

In a report presented by the International Monetary Fund in 2009, Iran ranks first among 91 developing or underdeveloped countries in terms of elite migration. According to the statistics of the Islamic Consultative Assembly in 1389, sixty thousand Iranians who migrated in that year are classified as elite migrants. These individuals are often holders of high positions in scientific Olympiads, top performers in university entrance exams, or students at prestigious universities.

Comparison of countries in terms of skilled and specialized labor force also shows that Iran was among the top ten countries in 1999. Iran’s ranking in 1997 and 1998 was seventh and sixth respectively, and in 1999 it reached fifth place. Statistics show that after the 1979 revolution, out of a total of 176 Olympic medalists, 163 of them are no longer present in the country.

In a survey conducted by the Islamic Student Association of Tehran University in 1378 (1999-2000), 83.7% of the students in the sample population expressed their willingness to migrate abroad if possible and under favorable conditions.

According to the Iranian Migration Yearbook, in 1399 (2020-2021), as usual, about fifty percent of Iranians over the age of 25 had university education, and this percentage has reached 56% in 2015.

Internal motivating factors

In the article by Shirazi and Moseeb in 2006, titled “Education and Emigration to Foreign Countries, the Cause of the Emergence of the Iranian-American Community,” they have discussed: educational opportunities, lack of social freedoms in Iran, and religious and political pressures as the main factors influencing emigration.

“Due to limitations on social freedom for young people, structural rigidity and political pressures of the government, discrimination and religious pressures, unfair allocation of quotas and lack of equal competition for obtaining university seats are also added. Factors such as: uncertainty about the economic future, lack of appreciation for initiative and innovation, inadequate rights, wages and job opportunities play a significant role in the tendency of individuals towards migration.”

According to a research conducted by Emran Salehi in 2006 titled “Investigating the Attitudes of Faculty Members towards the Causes of Scientific Elite Migration Abroad”, with the aim of studying the migration of scientific elites, factors such as “social neglect of the value of scientific activities, lack of necessary facilities for research, low salaries and wages, and a strong sense of discrimination and inequality” have been identified as major drivers of scientific elite migration abroad.

External factors of attraction

In addition to job opportunities, top educational opportunities and systems, and personal factors such as individual and family well-being, increased access to healthcare services, and other variables such as job freedom, freedom of action, and better social-political conditions, adventure, etc. are among the contributing factors to the migration of elites.

Globalization

In the modern era and in tandem with its rapid changes, especially with the phenomenon of globalization of culture and the expansion of the communication and media revolution, we are witnessing new dimensions of migration of scientific elites. Now, the fundamental indicators of development have changed and the indicator of utilization of inquisitive, creative and efficient human resources and attention to mental creativity and the like have taken the place of quantitative indicators, such as gross national production (Amir Torabi and Khavari Nejad: 1393).

From the second half of the twentieth century until now, we have witnessed a revolution and explosion of communications and information. The fading of national borders and increased and freer access to media and information has led to cultural exchanges and strengthened the ability to compare levels of development and lifestyles for young people.

This issue has led to the efforts of young people to migrate to more developed countries and ultimately the outflow of highly skilled and efficient human capital, which has a significant impact on the level of development and national security of the country.

Globalization, especially “globalization of the job market”, has provided new opportunities for better utilization of skilled human resources on a global scale and has greatly increased the access of professionals from developing countries to the job markets of industrialized countries; however, extensive migration of skilled human resources from developing countries poses a significant threat to their social and economic development.

Globalization of the job market can be understood as the formation of a global job market in which the necessary fields and facilities for easy and inexpensive access and communication between the supply and demand of labor at a global level have been provided (Almoti, Masoud: 1383).

Special migrations

Forced migration and asylum seeking can be categorized under this agreement. It also includes the migration of minorities and sexual minorities, migration due to traditional and gender stereotypes (such as losing virginity, forced marriages), and…

Final words

Iran is one of the countries with the highest rate of youth emigration to other countries. This is a result of a lack of understanding of proper policies (both foreign and domestic). The Islamic Republic of Iran, due to its nature of seeking to review its foreign policies and continue the pursuit of the Shia revolution, has serious conflicts with many developed Western countries (and some Eastern powers) and even some of its neighboring countries, and is subject to widespread sanctions.

Multiple internal crises have made the situation more destructive. Crises such as environmental crisis, economic crisis, lack of trust in the government towards the younger generation, employment problems, widespread and continuous corruption, inadequate support for production, irrational costs and parallel institutions, lack of structural differentiation, existence of a rent-seeking government, lack of specialization, and long and bureaucratic administrative bodies… all contribute to the widespread phenomenon of youth migration.

Structural problems have led to a sense of deprivation and loss of hope among young people regarding the improvement of economic, political, social, and cultural conditions. This has resulted in widespread migration of young people from the country and the departure of highly skilled and creative individuals, leading to the perpetuation of structural problems.

It seems that in order to solve the problem of migration, structural reforms need to take place both in foreign policy and domestically. De-escalation abroad can lead to attracting investment, finding global markets, and developing technical and technological collaborations, which can in turn be a key factor in improving development indicators and ultimately reducing youth migration. Internally, serious and necessary structural reforms are also needed. Without a rational assessment of external constraints and internal capabilities, this goal cannot be achieved. Hopefully, it is not too late to see the will, desire, and interests of political leaders towards achieving this important goal.

Resources

1. Mir Torabi, Saeed and Khavari Nejad, Saeed. (2014). The Reasons for the Migration of Elites from Iran from the Perspective of International Political Economy (with Emphasis on the 1380s Decade).

2. Ebrahimi, Yazdan (2002), Investigating the Economic Factors Affecting the Tendency of Electrical and Computer Engineering Students to Migrate, Research and Planning in Higher Education.

3. Salehi Emran, Ebrahim (1385), A Study of the Attitudes of Faculty Members towards the Reasons for Elite Migration to Foreign Countries, Social Sciences Letter.

4. Araste, Hamid (1380), A Study of Job Satisfaction and Factors of Migration among Graduates of Foreign Universities, Institute for Research and Planning in Higher Education, Ministry of Science, Research and Technology.

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5. Shirazi, Roozbeh and Sina Mossayeb (2006), “Education and Emigration: The Case of the Iranian American Community”, Current Issues in Community.