Bangladeshi students are increasingly pursuing higher education abroad, but there is growing concern that many of them are opting to stay in developed countries permanently, rather than returning to Bangladesh. This phenomenon, often referred to as brain drain, is frequently discussed in newspaper articles, social media posts, and television news. However, despite its significance, the field of student migration from Bangladesh has received relatively little attention in migration research. Therefore, this study aims to address this gap by investigating the factors that influence Bangladeshi students' migration decisions using the push-pull theory.
A team of researchers, including Noshin Tasnim Zaman, Md Salman Sohel, Md Obaidullah, Md Sohrab Hossen, Md Toufiqur Rahman, Md Khaled Sifullah, and Md Fouad Hossain Sarker, employed a qualitative research design to address the research questions. The data collection process involved conducting ten focus group discussions with university students in Bangladesh. Subsequently, the researchers conducted a thematic analysis of the data using the Granheim approach, which entailed identifying patterns and themes. The NVivo 12 software was utilized to facilitate the analysis. The study also drew upon Everett Lee's theory of migration (Lee 1966) to provide theoretical insights into the findings.
The study identified several push factors behind the migration of Bangladeshi students. These include:
However, there exist several pull factors that have attracted students from Bangladesh.
The study concludes with several policy recommendations categorized as Higher and Lower Policy Priorities. Among the higher priorities, it is recommended that the government of Bangladesh prioritize the creation of job opportunities to mitigate the high unemployment rate, a key factor driving student migration. Additionally, policies should aim to promote entrepreneurship and offer substantial support to entrepreneurs, thereby incentivizing skilled individuals to remain in the country. Furthermore, addressing the aspiration for permanent settlement abroad through enhanced job prospects and the establishment of a conducive environment for career advancement could serve to diminish student migration.
Md Obaidullah is Lecturer of Bangladesh Studies, Daffodil International University, Dhaka.