Overseas migrations can be quelled by providing equal opportunities and a level-playing field

The higher cost of mediocre education standards, growing social tensions and suppression of dissent clearly highlights the problems that plague the country and the underlying causes that trigger an urge to go in search of greener pastures

The prospect of migrating from India to another country is a significant decision involving numerous factors. Whether seeking better opportunities, a higher standard of living or a change of scenery, choosing the right destination can be exciting and quite daunting.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs there are about 3.2 crore overseas Indians. Among these are 1.34 crore non-resident Indians (NRIs) and 1.86 crore persons of Indian origin (PIO or persons who are citizens of other countries). It is estimated that every year an estimated 25 lakh Indians are leaving the country.

Another report pointed out that 7000 millionaires who had net worth of more than Rs. 8.3 crore (equivalent or more than $ one million) had given up Indian passports last year – the third highest number after China and Russia. It also pointed out that from 2013 – 2022, 48,500 millionaires left the country. The only reason why the out-migration is not higher is because of the difficulty in gaining a visa and immigration permission and the lack of economic means for most people who would like to migrate.

While these numbers seem more like a drop in the ocean and miniscule compared to the population, the fact that so many Indians, especially the younger generation, want to leave the country should be a cause for worry. History shows that often the primary cause for young people and those with means to migrate out of a country is the expectation about the place where they live vis-à-vis the place they migrate to.

In the case of India, the fact that so many young people have decided to migrate out of the country is because of their low expectations of their future well-being in the country and their expectation that their standard of living will be better off in another country, especially in a more advanced country. There is little doubt that the middle classes in the country have been decimated since 2017; Covid increased the pace of this decline.

The higher cost of mediocre education standards, growing social tensions and suppression of dissent clearly highlights the problems that plague the country and the underlying causes that trigger an urge to go in search of greener pastures.

A slowing and stagnating economy that is not able to create jobs that can help fulfill the aspirations of youth in turn bring the focus on India’s mediocre education system. In the case of India, the growing number of people migrating/ leaving the country comes at a time when the working age population is increasing. It has been pointed out that India's share of the working age population is expected to increase from 55.8% to 58.8% from 2020 to 2031 – which is approximately 100 million people added to the workforce.

Further, the missteps of demonetization, GST and a conscious policy attempt to encourage large enterprises at the cost of small and medium enterprises has led to a gradual closing and/or restriction of opportunities which in turn has led to the perception that the future is bleak for many. The fact that an increasingly aspirational youth find that the gradual closing of opportunities at the lower and mid-level due to government policy that encourages large conglomerates and the increased role of caste, religion, regional or political preferences to optimize their career has not helped matters.

High levels of taxes and growing tendency of the government to impose taxes retrospectively and state governments not adhering to contracts in an arbitrary manner do not help.

One obvious reason is that while there is huge demand for quality education, the supply has been scarce. There is a need for India to go back to a system that provides equal opportunities and level-playing field for all irrespective of political affiliations or personal preferences. There is also an urgent need for the economy to become more open to global economic forces and its policy and surveillance mechanisms need to be less intrusive.