You will be surprised to know that 52 percent of the youth of the country want to go abroad for a better career and to earn money. A recent report by AI-based global talent platform Turn Group states that a strong trend has been seen among the youth to go abroad for a better career and to earn money.

This survey is based on conversations with about 8,000 people across the country. Turn Group, an AI-powered global talent mobility platform, conducted the survey through its Year-End Migration Barometer.

The results show that 52% of Indians are either thinking about or actively preparing to move abroad, mainly due to financial and career ambitions. The survey also shows that migration preferences are changing. 52% have changed their preferred location over time, while 43% have a clear preference for international opportunities, reflecting the growing appeal of global career mobility.

What is the biggest reason for migration?
Financial development has emerged as the biggest reason for migration. 46% people have said this as their main motivation, followed by career growth at 34%. Personal dreams and global exposure come second, at 9% and 4% respectively. This emphasizes that the current wave of migration is based on economic outcomes rather than just lifestyle aspirations. There is now a clear shift in preferred destinations towards Europe and Asia. Germany is the most preferred destination, attracting 43% of people. After this, UK is at 17%, Japan at 9% and USA at 4%. This trend reflects the increasing global demand for Indian talent, which is acknowledged by 57% people.

There is a lot of migration among nurses also
The survey also shows that there is a strong regional concentration in migration of nurses from certain parts of the country. Most of the nurses going abroad (61%) are from states outside India's big cities. This shows widespread participation in Tier 2 and Tier 3 areas. 17% of nurses migrate from Delhi NCR, reflecting knowledge of the region and access to international placement networks. South India and Northeast India both contribute 9%, reflecting their long-standing role as major talent pools for the global healthcare system.

Language is the biggest obstacle in migration
Despite strong migration intentions, many barriers remain. Language requirements remain the biggest barrier, cited by 44% of people, of which 36% are still stuck at the language learning stage. Reliance on traditional recruitment models still remains a matter of concern. 48% reported personal experiences of unethical recruitment practices, while 15% reported hearing about such cases from their colleagues. Migrants also face challenges related to lack of guidance (33%), high expenses (14%) and long hours (10%).