Research shows fewer Estonians willing to migrate for work
Published: 2 June 2008
At the end of 2006, the Ministry of Social Affairs (Sotsiaalministeerium [1]) concluded research on the migration attitudes of Estonia’s working age population. As no official national statistics on migration exist, the study aimed to fill this research gap and provide information on potential migrants and their reasons for moving abroad. Moreover, the ministry intended the information to be used for policymaking.[1] http://www.sm.ee/eng/pages/index.html
Research concluded in 2006 on migration attitudes revealed that about 36,000 people of working age may potentially migrate to work abroad, representing 3.9% of Estonia’s working age population. Mainly young people and those with secondary-level education expressed an interest in working abroad, mostly in Finland or the United Kingdom. The most promising economic sectors mentioned in terms of employment are construction as well as hotels and restaurants.
At the end of 2006, the Ministry of Social Affairs (Sotsiaalministeerium) concluded research on the migration attitudes of Estonia’s working age population. As no official national statistics on migration exist, the study aimed to fill this research gap and provide information on potential migrants and their reasons for moving abroad. Moreover, the ministry intended the information to be used for policymaking.
In total, 1,505 persons of working age – namely those aged 15–64 years – were interviewed face to face on the basis of questionnaires. The research has been conducted at three-year intervals since 2000, making it possible to observe changes in attitudes over time.
Migration plans
In 2006, 26% of people of working age considered working abroad, but only about half of them made preparations to move to a foreign country. Of this proportion, about 3.9% of people – 36,000 persons – had a definite plan for working abroad and made preparations to move. This proportion is down slightly on the 4.3% of people in this position in 2003. People who have made some preparations to work abroad are regarded as potential migrants under the ministry’s study.
Compared with previous years, the wish among people of working age to migrate had decreased significantly. In 2003, about 42% of workers considered working abroad, while 51% of workers expressed such a desire in 2000. The study suggests that this decline may be connected to the positive labour market developments in Estonia in terms of increased employment rates and wages. In may also be the case that many people who wanted to work abroad have already been able to do so since Estonia joined the EU in May 2004.
In terms of the length of a worker’s stay abroad, the majority of persons considering working abroad want to do so only for a short time, with 5% of workers wanting to stay abroad on a permanent basis. Overall, 25% of workers are not sure about how long they would like to stay abroad (Figure 1).
Length of planned stay abroad, by certainty of migration plan, 2006 (%)
Source: Järv, 2007
The most preferred destination countries for 61% of potential migrants are Finland (42%), due to its proximity to Estonia, and the UK (19%), due to the English-speaking environment. Other countries mentioned as preferred destinations include Germany, Ireland, Norway, Sweden and the US.
Profile of potential migrants
The profile of potential migrants has not changed significantly over the period of the survey. Migration plans depend strongly on a person’s age and life circumstances. Mostly young people wish to work abroad: almost half (46%) of potential migrants are in the 15–24 age group, while more than a quarter (27%) are aged 15–19 years. However, only 20% of persons in the latter age group had definite plans to work abroad (Figure 2).
Persons planning to migrate, by age group and certainty of migration plan, 2006 (%)
Source: Järv, 2007
As persons grow older, they are more often restricted by job and family obligations, thus reducing their desire to work abroad. This is particularly the case for women whose interest in working abroad decreases sharply after the age of 35 years. About half of the persons who wish to work abroad are single, while 41% are married or cohabiting.
The number of men and women who wish to work abroad is relatively equal. However, men are more sure of their migration plans and are also willing to stay abroad for longer periods of time than women. Overall, 40% of men and 27% of women wish to stay abroad for longer than a year.
Almost two thirds (64%) of the people wishing to migrate have a secondary-level education, while 24% of them have a basic education and only 12% have a higher education. This breakdown of potential migrants by level of education has remained largely unchanged compared with 2003 and also corresponds to the general distribution of educational levels. Thus, migration plans are not typical of a certain educational group.
However, one of the motives for working abroad may be the existing mismatch between skills and knowledge. Interestingly, 17% of people with migration plans are in a job which requires lower qualifications and 46% work in a profession which does not correspond to their current qualifications.
Expectations of employment abroad
In terms of economic sector, both construction (37%) and hotels and restaurants (32%) are most often mentioned by migrants as potential sectors for employment abroad. About 21% of potential migrants stated that they would also take up work in the field of agriculture. These figures may be contrasted with workers’ views in 2003, when agriculture and services were cited as the most promising sectors for employment abroad.
Compared with 2003, the latest survey reveals that people have higher requirements for potential employment abroad and ‘softer values’ have gained more importance (EE0503NU03). Although a higher income is still the main motivator for workers to move abroad (mentioned by 74% of potential migrants), people also value new experiences (61%) and the possibility to obtain professional knowledge (46%). Having difficulty finding a job in Estonia is seldom reported as a reason for migrating to other countries in search of work – only 10% of persons wishing to migrate are unemployed or economically inactive.
Most persons wishing to work abroad would prefer to find a job with at least the same qualifications required in their last job or requiring higher qualifications. Overall, 19% of potential migrants are willing to take on a lower-level job than their previous employment and 15% would be happy to take on any job. Women are more tolerant than men towards accepting a position which does not correspond to their level of expertise.
Commentary
Since no official migration statistics exist, only estimations of the number of potential migrants can be made. Järv (2007) points out that the number of persons working in foreign countries after Estonia’s accession to the EU has been estimated at about 20,000–35,000 workers.
The research highlights migration plans as a topical issue due to labour force shortages in Estonia (EE0612019I, EE0803019I). This issue has also been the focus of recent media attention.
Reference
Järv, K., Eesti tööealise elanikkonna väljarände eelistused (319Kb PDF) [Migration attitudes of the Estonian working age population], Tallinn, Ministry of Social Affairs, 2007.
Marre Karu and Kirsti Nurmela, PRAXIS Centre for Policy Studies
Eurofound recommends citing this publication in the following way.
Eurofound (2008), Research shows fewer Estonians willing to migrate for work, article.
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