Prof. S. Irudaya Rajan, the lead of the MiFOOD team in India, has unveiled findings from the Kerala Migration Survey 2023, conducted by the Gulati Institute of Finance and Taxation with support from MiFOOD partner, the International Institute of Migration and Development (IIMAD). The survey was conducted with 20,000 households across Kerala.
The Kerala Migration Survey 2023 has unearthed a profound transformation in the migration patterns from Kerala, marked by a doubling of student migrants post-pandemic to about 250,000. This surge is part of a broader shift where more emigrants are now departing at younger ages, significantly altering the demographic landscape of migration from Kerala. This trend underscores the urgent need for enhanced educational infrastructure and safe migration pathways to support the next generation of Malayalee students abroad.
Furthermore, the survey finds a notable increase in female emigrants aligning with higher educational achievements among these women. Total remittances from migration reached a record ₹2,16,893 crore in 2023, marking a 154.9% increase from 2018, strengthening the economy of the State. The number of emigrants who have returned home is also estimated to have significant increased due to global economic disruptions in the past few years. These evolving trends suggest a dynamic change in both the scale and nature of migration from Kerala, reflecting broader socio-economic shifts.
For further details on the survey findings, you can read the article on The Hindu’s website.