MIGRATION has long been considered a one-way movement, with migrants leaving their country of origin and making the host nation their final abode. However, this notion of migration as a permanent transition has evolved. According to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development estimates, roughly 40 per cent of migrants are likely to depart the host country within five years of their arrival, often bringing back savings and newly acquired education and skills. Their reintegration into the home country can be a game-changer, but whether the country benefits depends largely on how well these returnees utilise their resources and expertise.
For many migrants, settling abroad depends on economic rewards and career opportunities. However, when job prospects fail to meet expectations, many return home, seeking better opportunities or simply a familiar environment. This movement back can be a boon for the home country, as returnees bring capital, knowledge, and networks that can stimulate local economies, create employment, and foster innovation. Highly skilled migrants, in particular, help mitigate the adverse effects of brain drain by reinvesting their talents into society. While overseas migration may boost productivity in the host country, productivity gains are often more significant for the home country.
Yet, the reintegration of returnees is not always seamless. While developed economies may absorb return migrants efficiently, low- and middle-income countries often lack the institutional frameworks to maximise their potential. Without formal skill certification, many returnees find it difficult to secure jobs that match their expertise. Consequently, they either settle for low-paid work or face unemployment. Bangladesh, for instance, sees a large influx of return migrants each year, yet due to the lack of proper registration and support mechanisms, their economic potential remains largely untapped. Research by the Abhibashi Karmi Unnayan Programme found that 90 per cent of returnees struggled to apply their foreign-acquired skills for income generation. Among those surveyed, 46 per cent claimed to have gained new skills abroad, while the rest felt they had not, highlighting the need for structured reintegration policies.
Whether the home country benefits from return migrants depends on the extent to which returnees successfully accumulate resources and gain knowledge and skills abroad. To harness the benefits of return migration, home countries must create conducive environments for returnees. Incentives, such as financial assistance and investment opportunities, can encourage skilled migrants to contribute effectively. While Bangladesh鈥檚 interim administration has introduced financial support schemes, a broader policy approach is required. Comprehensive labour migration reforms, evidence-based research, and skill certification programmes tailored to key sectors 鈥� such as IT, construction, caregiving, and digital services 鈥� are essential to unlocking return migrants鈥� full potential. Furthermore, public-private partnerships can play a crucial role in facilitating job placements and investment initiatives.
An investment-friendly macroeconomic environment is also vital. Encouraging returnees to invest their resources at home will not only generate employment but also drive economic resilience. Ultimately, the true measure of success for return migration lies in the seamless reintegration of returnees into the labour market, ensuring that their skills and experiences contribute meaningfully to national development. If managed effectively, return migration can shift from being a missed opportunity to a powerful catalyst for economic and social progress.
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Afsara Tasnim is a research associate at Research and Policy Integration for Development.
