According to the recently released Kerala Migration Survey (KMS), there has been a slight increase in the number of Malayalis migrating to other countries, with approximately 22 lakh people leaving Kerala in 2023, compared to 21 lakh in 2018. 

Prepared by the International Institute of Migration and Development (IIMD) and the Gulati Institute of Finance and Taxation, the report presented to the Loka Kerala Sabha reveals that student migration has doubled from 1,29,763 in 2018 to about 2,50,000 in 2023. Students constitute 11.3 percent of Kerala's total migrants, with Ernakulam leading with 43,990 students going abroad, followed closely by Thrissur (35,783) and Kottayam (35,382), while Wayanad had the least with only 3,750 students. 

Meanwhile, the survey notes that more than 80 percent of students who study abroad have completed their education in Kerala, with the UK being the most preferred destination, followed by Canada and other European countries. 

The report recommends implementing policies to ensure safer migration pathways for students and regulating language training centers and recruitment agencies to prevent fraud.

The survey also underscores a need for improved basic education facilities in Kerala and policies to encourage returning Malayali students to contribute their skills to the state. While Kerala saw a peak in international migration between 1998 and 2003 with a 35 percent increase, recent years have shown fluctuations, including an 11.6 percent decline in 2018, followed by a 1.5 percent increase by 2023.

District-wise, Kollam and Kannur experienced decreases in international migration since 2018, while Ernakulam, Palakkad, and Kozhikode saw increases. Northern districts in Kerala account for the highest proportion of international migrants (41.8 percent), followed by the central (33.1 percent) and southern regions (25 percent). 

Tirur in Malappuram has the highest number of Malayalis living abroad (109,133), followed by Thalassery (93,326) and Tirurangadi (80,379). 

In the Gulf region, the UAE hosts the largest number of Malayali immigrants (38.6 percent), followed by Saudi Arabia (16.9 percent). The proportion of Malayalis in GCC countries has gradually decreased from 93.8 percent in 1998 to 80.5 percent in 2023. 

The survey estimates that approximately 18 lakh expatriates returned to Kerala, up from 12 lakh in 2018, with job loss or layoff being cited as the primary reason for return by 18.4 percent of migrants. The UAE remains the top source of returnees, accounting for 36 percent of those coming back to the state.