Authors of Research: Valentinčič Dejan, Zagorc Barbara, Lukšič Hacin Marina, Gostič Maja, Vah Jevšnik Mojca, Toplak Kristina, Pehar Senekovič Asja in Vižintin Marijanca Ajša
Year of Research: 2021
Key words: emigration, labour migration, employment abroad, living abroad, political, social and economic issues, migrations, moving to another country, economic situation during working abroad, working qualification, education and work, living abroad
The research team consisting of researchers from the ASEF Institute and ZRC SAZU investigated "push-pull" factors through surveys (followed by in-depth semi-structured interviews) to explore the desires and needs of young, educated Slovenians living abroad that could influence their decision to return to Slovenia.
The study was guided by the "pull-push" model, adapted to the specific needs of the highly educated population under study. The main push factors (in the country of origin) considered included economic stagnation, declining living standards, depletion of national resources, low personal income, unemployment, political and other forms of discrimination, political persecution, alienation, natural disasters, among others. Pull factors (in the host country) included economic prosperity, rising living standards, higher personal income, professional advancement, suitable employment opportunities, and access to education.
Since there is no clear definition of who can be categorized as a "brain drain", the survey in the quantitative part of the research was open to all emigrants after 2004 (when Slovenia joined the European Union), regardless of their level of education and the type of work they do. In the qualitative part of the research – semi-structured interviews – the restriction to highly educated individuals who perform qualified work was taken into account.
An online survey, completed by 2,036 respondents, was conducted between April 15 - May 22, 2020, whilst semi-structured interviews were carried out with 20 participants between March 1 - April 19, 2021.
Cite the Study:
Valentinčič, Dejan; Zagorc, Barbara; Lukšič Hacin, Marina; Gostič, Maja; Vah Jevšnik, Mojca; Toplak, Kristina; Pehar Senekovič, Asja; Vižintin, Marijanca Ajša, 2025, "Kroženje ali beg možganov, 2021: Dejavniki za sodobno izseljevanje in vrnitev v Slovenijo", https://doi.org/10.17898/10061, Zbirka ADP, V1
Based on the research data, several publications were created:
