Return migration of high skilled workers

Abstract

In this paper we study the determinants of skilled return migration from the Netherlands to Suriname. Based on a survey of Gibson and McKenzie (2011) we managed to interview 283 former top students from Suriname. This unique database is informative in various dimensions. High skilled workers whose education was funded by a scholarship or by the parents are more likely to return. They tend to choose for the country where their parents, lifepartner and children live. Workers that perform management tasks and/or are in touch with clients exhibit higher chances to live in the home country. One might think of consultants or business managers. Furthermore we find that preferences towards the Netherlands regarding salaries, job contentment, and safety, lower the likelihood of opting for Suriname in the future. Facilitating high skilled workers in Suriname helps to increase return migration, and policies aimed at facilitating family members can also be beneficial. Scholarships and supply of tertiary education in Suriname remain important.