Demographers: Trend of the Diaspora Returning Home, Mainly People over 55, Is Observed

According to official statistics, between 30,000 and 60,000 people leave Moldova every year, and more than a million citizens of the country are currently living abroad. It is more difficult to estimate how many of them return home. Demographers note that in recent years there has been a trend of Moldovans returning, but in most cases, these are people of pre-retirement age. According to representatives of the academic community, social and political stability must be ensured in order to attract compatriots. Demographer Olga Gagauz asserts that, despite the return of some citizens after many years living abroad, the migration balance remains negative – more people are still leaving the country than returning. According to the expert, similar situations have been observed in other countries, where they were overcome due to the development of state policies to support citizens returning to their homeland. “In recent years, there has been a return migration. It is typical for people aged 55 and older, approximately 55 to 65, who have probably lived abroad for many years or even decades and are now returning to the country as they reach pre-retirement age. This is certainly a very important category for our country – people who can invest in socio-economic development and who may arrive with certain financial savings,” said Olga Gagauz. When asked what could attract people to return to their homeland, the demographer noted that many factors influence this, including their living conditions abroad and their level of integration in their host countries. “Nevertheless, the level of return migration is not very high. Limited employment opportunities in the Republic of Moldova are not currently a factor that could attract more people from the diaspora,” the demographer emphasized.