Socio-Economic Status of Returnees and Non-Migrants

Abstract

Migration is often perceived as a consequence of development shortcomings or, even more concerning, as perpetuating a harmful loop where poverty drives the migration process. Instead of being viewed as a negative cycle, migration is now recognized as a beneficial dynamic where development is bolstered, not just in the receiving nation but also in the originating one. Returnee migration is one of the most important channels through which sending countries might benefit from them. Returnees, not only return with the capital but also the skills in several fields. Thus, in order to use both the skills and capital of returnees it is essential to have depth knowledge about the socio-economic aspects of the returnees. This study overviews the socio-economic well-being of the returnees in comparison to non-migrants. Moreover, it is also equally focused to find out the differences between returnees and non- returnees in social and economic terms. The study has been carried out at Palumtar Municipality of Gorkha District, where among 737 households 180 are chosen. Random sampling quantitative approach method has been implemented to assess the demographic and socio-economic status of international returnees to Nepal. Data collection was done through questionnaire. The statistical test result has also indicated that socio-economic status of returnees was better than that of non-migrants. Though, the socio-economic status of returnees found improved than non-migrants, Government should develop policies to utilize the knowledge and resources of returnees and in-depth research should be conducted to identify many socio-cultural issues of returnees.