The Determinants of Return Intentions of Turkish Students and Professionals Residing Abroad: An Empirical Investigation

60 Pages Posted: 17 May 2005

See all articles by Nil Demet Gungor

Nil Demet Gungor

Atilim University - Department of Economics

Aysit Tansel

Middle East Technical University (METU) - Department of Economics; IZA Institute of Labor Economics; Economic Research Forum (ERF)

Date Written: May 2005

Abstract

The study estimates an empirical model of return intentions using a dataset compiled from an internet survey of Turkish professionals and Turkish students residing abroad. In the migration literature, wage differentials are often cited as an important factor explaining skilled migration. The findings of the study suggest, however, that other factors are also important in explaining the non-return of Turkish professionals. Economic instability in Turkey is found to be an important push factor, while work experience in Turkey also increases non-return. In the student sample, higher salaries offered in the host country and lifestyle preferences, including a more organized environment in the host country, increase the probability of not-returning. For both groups, the analysis also points to the importance of prior intentions and the role of the family in the decision to return to Turkey or stay overseas.

Keywords: skilled migration, brain drain, return intentions, higher education, Turkey

JEL Classification: F20, F22

Suggested Citation

Güngör, Nil Demet and Tansel, Aysit, The Determinants of Return Intentions of Turkish Students and Professionals Residing Abroad: An Empirical Investigation (May 2005). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=721921 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.721921

Nil Demet Güngör (Contact Author)

Atilim University - Department of Economics ( email )

Faculty of Management
Kizilcasar Köyü - Incek - Gölbasi
Ankara, Ankara 06836
Turkey
+90 312 586 8605 (Phone)

Aysit Tansel

Middle East Technical University (METU) - Department of Economics ( email )

Inonu Bulvari
Ankara 06800
Turkey
90 312 210 2073 (Phone)
90 312 210 7964 (Fax)

IZA Institute of Labor Economics

P.O. Box 7240
Bonn, D-53072
Germany

Economic Research Forum (ERF) ( email )

21 Al-Sad Al-Aaly St.
(P.O. Box: 12311)
Dokki, Cairo
Egypt

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