KEY EMIGRATION FACTORS OF STUDENTS IN SLAVONIA AND BARANJA REGION IN CROATIA

Abstract

The aim of this research is to examine the intention of students in Croatian region of Slavonia and Baranja about the possibility of going abroad after completing their studies and to identified push and pull factors which influence the most the decision to emigrate. The research is based on a survey conducted on a sample of 420 students in the Croatian region of ​​Slavonia and Baranja. The study uses descriptive statistical analysis and multi-variant analysis–factor method. Research results according to respondent’s perception, showed that the majority (61%) expressed intention to stay in Croatia. Data identified unemployment, low paying job and low standard of living in Croatia as main push reasons for their intention to migrate and better standard of living and higher quality of life, better opportunities for career development and better and more stable job as main pull reasons for their intention to migrate. The results also recognized “economic and social reasons” as main push reasons and “economic and non-economic (personal) reasons as main pull reasons. The research findings confirmed the hypotheses of the paper that economic factors are the main push and pull motives for migration for students in Slavonia and Baranja.