A recent report from Iran’s Center for Strategic Studies has raised alarm bells about a looming “mass migration” crisis in the country. The study, which analyzes the results of a comprehensive survey, highlights serious concerns about the utilization of human capital and the increasing desire among skilled professionals to leave Iran.
The report, titled “Managing Migration Abroad,” was published on August 3 but only gained media attention on August 15. It states, “We are now in the peak period of ‘desire and decision’ to migrate, especially among the skilled and capitalized workforce.”
According to the study, Iran is experiencing a unique migration phenomenon, with a pervasive psychological atmosphere surrounding the desire to leave the country. This sentiment has become a tangible force affecting people’s lives across various social strata.
The report indicates that the desire to migrate has intensified among diverse groups, including workers, athletes, doctors, researchers, entrepreneurs, and investors. Two groups, in particular, stood out in the survey: medical professionals and students.
Among doctors and nurses, 73% cited inflation as having a “very high” impact on their desire to migrate, while 63% attributed their decision to the effects of economic sanctions. For students and graduates, these figures were 59% and 51%, respectively.
Medical professionals listed several key factors driving their decision to leave, including:
- Dissatisfaction with job income
- Lack of confidence in the future
- Imbalance between income and living costs
- Increasing commercialization of healthcare
The gravity of the situation was further emphasized by the head of Iran’s medical system, who warned that “the country’s emptying of doctors is serious.” In June of the previous year, the head of the parliament’s health and treatment commission revealed that approximately 10,000 specialists and sub-specialists had obtained necessary certifications for work migration in just two years, with Arab countries emerging as the primary destination for Iranian doctors.
The report also sheds light on the motivations of entrepreneurs and startup founders considering migration. Their reasons centered around economic uncertainty and instability, citing factors such as:
- Economic sanctions
- Severe inflation
- Exchange rate fluctuations
- Unpredictability of the economic system
- Inefficient production processes
- Complex bureaucracy
- Instability in domestic and foreign politics
For this group, the attractiveness of investment environments and the stability of potential destination countries were significant pull factors.
As Iran grapples with this impending “mass migration” crisis, the government faces the challenge of addressing these deep-rooted issues to retain its skilled workforce and maintain the country’s human capital. The findings of this study underscore the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to improve economic conditions, job satisfaction, and overall quality of life for Iranian citizens.
