IMPLICATIONS OF KERALA MIGRATION SURVEY 2023.

 Way back in 1977 and 1980 Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Government of Kerala conducted two surveys on emigration from Kerala and  estimated 1.35 lakh emigrants in 1977,and2,08 lakhs in 1980 out of which estimated 1.86 lakhs were in Gulf countries The  first Kerala Migration Survey(KMS) conducted in 1998 estimated 1.4 million emigrants from Kerala. Latest KMS (2023)estimate based on stratified multstage random survey conducted in 20000 households in the  state by International Institute of Migration and Development (IIMD) and Gulati Institute of France and Taxation (GIFT) jointly showed the number of emigrants as 2.2 million. Other interesting features are  from estimated 1,4 million emigrants in 1998 number increased to 1.8 million in 2003,2.2 million in 2008,2.4 million in 2013,but later declined to 2.1 million in 2018 and in 2023 it has increased to 2.2 million. The proportion of female emigrants also increased from 15.8 percent in 2018 to 19.1 % in 2023 However both emigrants and return emigrant taken together termed as non resident Keralites is estimated to be 4million .Similarly if we estimate out migrants from Kerala to other parts of India KMS estimate 5  lakh  such out  migrants mainly spread across Karnataka. ,Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra with reportedly Palakkad district on the top followed by Ernakulam among outmigrants. Northern districts account for maximum share of emigrants(41.8%) with Tirur Taluk recording highest in Kerala followed by Central Kerala 33.35% and South Kerala 25%. It is interesting to observe that among emigrants the female emigrants showed marked shift from GCC countries to Europe and Western countries accounting for 40.5%.as against 14.6% for males.KMS also found that educational level of female emigrants  were substantially higher than their male counterparts. For instance  71.5 % of female emigrants completed graduation  as against only 34.7 % of male emigrants).Study also found that Hindus which constitute 53.2 % of total Kerala population sent 35.2% of total emigrants  whereas Christians constituting  16.9% of total population accounted higher 22.3% of total emigrant  and Muslims constituting 29.3 % of total Kerala population contributed  the lions  share of 41.9% of emigrants obviously due  to their historical and cultural ties.

As per world Bank estimate India continued to sustain its stellar status  of the  topmost emigrant workers remittances recipient country of the world  for the past several years with $125 billion flow in 2023,out of  estimated global remittances of US $ 669 billion .According to KMS estimate Kerala's emigrant remittances surged to rupees 216,893 crores in 2023 from rupees 85092 crores in 2018, indicating 154.9% increase.Remittances contributed about 23.2 % of State domestic product in 2023 and 1.7 times higher than  the revenue receipt of the  state.The estimated remittances percapita accounted for the entire state  is rupees 61118 as against rupees 2.24 lakhs per capita for emigrant households.. Unlike in the past Kollam district  surpassed Malappuram in household remittances in 2023 with 17.8 % of remittances compared to16.2% in Malappuram.The pattern of utilisation of remittances generally indicated 15.8% on renovating houses or shops,14.0% to pay off bank loans/ debt and 10% utilised for education purposes. 

In recent years Kerala has witnessed major  exodus in emigration of students to many countries  for higher education and skill development. According to KMS report student emigrants constituted 11.5% of total emigrants from the state of Kerala increasing  from 129763 in 2018 to 250000 in 2023.Globally India and China send maximum number of student emigrants to other countries of the world. In 2023 Indian students abroad was estimated to be1.3 million which was revised by Ministry of External Affairs to over 1.5 million in 2024.Top ten destinations of Indian students are USA, Canada,UK, Australia, France, Germany, Japan, Spain, Netherlands and Argentina. Germany and Malaysia are popular among students for less cost of emigration. In most countries students  without scholarships do opt for part time jobs to meet their increasing expenses. Students emigration trends indicate that despite the existing geopolical factors  student emigration stream is  likely to continue further. The middle class and lower middle class household students are able to fulfil their aspirations lured by factors like financing facilities, the prospects for finding part time jobs in host country and eventually acquire full ime employment as well , and  acquiring fluency in foreign languages,skill development and value and utility of international qualifications. We should be concerned about the economically weak less fortunate students who are unable to emigrate due to low incomes. They should be  imparted with quality education domestically by  international standards with adequate course work, proper skilling  periodical assessments and effective faculty evaluation by students. Excessive student /teacher's  political intervention should not hamper objectivity and quality of  study programs. It may be desirable to make it compulsory for Students with arrears not to contest for any academic bodies Similarly academic bodies should be allowed to function with objectivity and rigour in their approach.As far as  KMS estimate is concerned since around three fourth of the Indian emigrant workers in GCC countries belong to labour emigrants their life,  working conditions and payments need to be closely  monitored jointly by host goverments,Indian Embassies other stakeholders, concerned companies etc. This assumes vital significance especially in the wake of  recent fatal abaze that  took many lives in a multistoreyed  labour  accommodation building in Kuwait .Since Non Resident Keralites organisations and the State Government are focusing on the welfare of all Kerala emigrants from big or small countries across the world it would be prudent to avoid statements against individual countries at least within emigrant welfare forums.