The Effect of Push Factors on Migration Intention of University Students in Sri Lanka

Abstract

University student migration is a growing phenomenon in Sri Lanka, with implications for the country's higher education industry and future labor force. Many economic and non-economic factors impact migration choices, and recent contributions have seen migration choice as a step-by-step process that distinguishes between "aspiration" and "ability" to migrate. Migration of university students, which is defined as the act of leaving one's home country with the goal of residing abroad, is one of the main challenges in Sri Lanka. In Sri Lanka, research on young migration is particularly pertinent. Thus, the goal of this research project is to access the impact of push factors on migration intention of university students in Sri Lanka. This study explores the push factors driving this trend, with a particular emphasis on the reasons behind students' decision to leave Sri Lanka after graduation. The study is based on final year management undergraduates of University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. Out of 500 management final year undergraduates, the sample size of 217 students in the population was chosen using a simple random sampling method. A variety of literature on determinants of migration intention was gathered with the view of identifying the key factors having an impact on migration intention. In this study, migration intention of university students is the dependent variable and poor economic condition, political instability, lack of opportunities for career development and low salary are the independent variables. The data relating to the research were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed with the use of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Based on key findings the research showed poor economic condition, economic instability and low salary variables have strongly positive relationship and lack of opportunities for career development variable has negative relationship to migration intention of university students. Thereby conclusion of the study and recommendations focused on address economic and political problems in Sri Lanka to retain knowledgeable people in Sri Lanka.