Navigating Uncertainty: Challenges of Youth Migration in Contemporary Sri Lanka

Abstract

Migration can be identified as the movement of people from their roots to other surroundings, whether inside or outside the country, and has multiple consequences. It can have a significant impact on a country’s economy, politics, environment and socio-economic conditions. Security concerns and conflicts are the two major reasons for human movements since early times. In recent years, the outflow of Sri Lankan workers has shown an increasing trend. The majority of the migrant workers are comprised of those in the 25-29 year age group (Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka, 2013). This trend remains constant for all manpower groups. Then why this migration scenario is sociologically important? That’s why this paper will draw on Youth Migration in Sri Lanka, and try to identify the specific challenges faced by youth migrants and navigate future uncertainties based on case studies and earlier work.