Potential Migration of Educated Youth from North Macedonia: Can Brain Drain be Averted?

Abstract

Using unique survey data collected from respondents attending university in North Macedonia (N=423), this paper investigates students’ decisions on intended emigration. The study is set within the regional context of high youth migration from the Western Balkans and involves comparisons with an earlier, similar study on Albania. Results for North Macedonia indicate that those more likely to leave the country are undergraduate (as opposed to postgraduate) students, those who are not planning to continue further studies and students with a family history of migration. The concluding discussion makes policy recommendations for reforming the labour market to dissuade young graduates from leaving and attract the return of those already abroad.