Context: The Kerala Migration Survey (KMS) 2023 report, released in Thiruvananthapuram, provides a comprehensive overview of migration patterns in Kerala.

• Conducted by the International Institute of Migration and Development (IIMD) and the Gulati Institute of Finance and Taxation, KMS 2023 is the sixth survey in this series, conducted every five years since 1998.

• The survey offers valuable insights into the trends and characteristics of migration, as well as its economic impacts on the state.

Emigrant Population Trends

• In 2023, Kerala had an estimated 2.2 million emigrants, slightly more than the 2.1 million recorded in 2018. This reflects a recovery from the decline observed in the previous survey.

• The number of return emigrants also increased significantly, from 1.2 million in 2018 to 1.8 million in 2023, indicating a dynamic migration landscape.

Shift in Emigration Destinations

• There has been a notable decline in emigration to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, with preferences shifting towards destinations beyond the GCC. In 2023, 19.5% of emigrants preferred non-GCC countries, up from 10.8% in 2018.

• This trend aligns with the decreasing dominance of GCC destinations, which accounted for 93.8% of Kerala’s emigrants in 1998.

Rising Student Emigration

• A significant rise in student emigration has contributed to the shift in emigration trends.

• Students now constitute 11.3% of total emigrants from Kerala, with their numbers nearly doubling from 129,763 in 2018 to 250,000 in 2023.

• This rise has offset the decline in emigration from other population categories.

Increasing Female Emigration

• The number and proportion of female emigrants have increased, rising from 15.8% in 2018 to 19.1% in 2023.

• Female emigrants tend to be better qualified than their male counterparts, with 71.5% of women being graduates compared to 34.7% of men.

• Women predominantly work in the nursing sector (51.6%) and make up 45.6% of Kerala’s student migrants.

• A significant 40.5% of female emigrants are in Western countries, compared to only 14.6% of male emigrants.

Regional Variations in Emigration

• North Kerala continues to be the largest source of emigrants, contributing 41.8% of the total emigrant population.

• Tirur taluk in the Muslim-majority Malappuram district remains the top source of migrants. Central Kerala accounts for 33.1% of emigrants, while South Kerala contributes 25%.

Religious Demographics of Emigrants

• Muslims, who make up 26% of Kerala’s population, represent 41.9% of the state’s emigrants.

• In contrast, Hindus, who comprise 54% of the population, account for 35.2% of emigrants.

• Christians make up 22.3% of the emigrant population, although they represent 18% of the state’s total population.

Surge in Remittances

• Remittances to Kerala saw a substantial increase, rising from Rs 85,092 crore in 2018 to Rs 216,893 crore in 2023, a 154.9% increase. This translates to a per capita remittance of Rs 61,118 for the state’s population of 3.55 crore.

• The average remittance per emigrant household also rose to Rs 2.24 lakh in 2023 from Rs 96,185 in 2018.

• Migrant households spent remittances on various needs: renovation of houses/shops (15.8%), paying bank loans (14%), educational expenses (10%), and medical bills (7.7%).

Increase in Returnees

• The number of return emigrants has grown significantly, with the largest increase seen in the last five years—495,962 individuals or 38.3%.

• Pandemic-induced job loss was a major factor, with 18.4% citing job loss as the reason for their return, 13.8% citing low wages, 7.5% poor working conditions, and 11.2% illness or accident.

• Other reasons included the desire to work in Kerala (16.1%), homesickness (10.2%), and retirement (12.1%).

Policy Implications and Recommendations

Addressing Student Migration

• The rise in student migration presents policy challenges. The study suggests upgrading the state’s education infrastructure and recommends regular monitoring and regulation of language training centers and recruitment agencies to prevent deceit and fraud by agents.

• Policies to encourage students studying abroad to return and contribute to the state’s development are essential.

Enhancing Skills for Labour Emigrants

• Since 76.9% of Kerala’s emigrants are still labor emigrants, primarily to GCC countries, it is crucial to improve their skills to secure better employment opportunities abroad.

• This could also encourage emigrants to choose non-GCC countries, especially in the West, as their destinations.

Rehabilitating Return Migrants

• The growing number of return migrants necessitates comprehensive rehabilitation and reintegration measures.

• This includes providing support for employment, healthcare, and social integration to help returnees adapt and contribute positively to the local economy.

Methodology of the Survey

• KMS 2023 surveyed 20,000 households, making it one of the largest socio-economic surveys conducted in Kerala. The sample was selected using a stratified multi-stage sampling method, covering rural and urban areas in each of Kerala’s 14 districts.

• A total of 500 localities were selected statewide, and 40 households were identified in each locality using systematic random sampling.

• The survey employed 300 trained investigators and used a digital data collection tool for the first time.