A Study of Economic, Institutional, and Family Factors Associated with Migration Intentions in Final-Year University Students in Pakistan
Contributors
- Ahsan Haider Shehzad M.Phil. Scholar, Department of Clinical Psychology, Preston University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
- Faiza Waseem M.Phil. Scholar, Department of Economics, Preston University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
- Ayesha Iqbal M.Phil. Scholar, Department of Economics, Preston University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
- Laiba Ashraf Laiba Ashraf BS Scholar, National University of Sciences and Technology, (NUST Business School), Islamabad, Pakistan.
- Muhammad Aleem Ilyas Department of Psychiatry, Divisional Headquarters & Teaching Hospital, Mirpur AJK, Pakistan.
Abstract
One of the major challenges facing Pakistan is brain drain, as an increasing number of university graduates consider pursuing education and employment opportunities abroad. This study aimed to examine the associations of perceived economic opportunity, institutional trust, household income, and parental migration status with migration intentions among final-year university students in Pakistan. A quantitative cross-sectional research design was employed, and data was collected from 200 students using standardized self-report questionnaires. The findings indicated that perceived economic opportunity was positively associated with migration intentions, whereas institutional trust showed a strong negative association with intentions to migrate. Household income was also positively associated with migration intentions. Parental migration status did not significantly moderate the examined relationships. Furthermore, migration intentions varied across academic fields. The findings highlight the importance of strengthening institutional trust, expanding viable employment opportunities, and promoting transparent and merit-based systems to reduce graduate’s intentions to migrate and support the retention of skilled human capital in Pakistan.
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Corresponding Author
Ahsan Haider Shehzad
M.Phil. Scholar, Department of Clinical Psychology, Preston University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Corresponding Author: [email protected]
