Recent data from Sri Lankan government authorities shows that a large number of people have left the country in the last year, which is believed to be driven by the country’s economic crisis and ongoing uncertainty. This illustrates the strong demand for Sri Lankans to move overseas, which has important implications for recruitment in the UK education sector.
Data from the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau shows that more than 300,000 people left the country in 2022 with secured jobs overseas, reaching an all-time high. The true number of people leaving the country is likely much higher, as only unskilled and semi-skilled workers are required to register with the bureau. Other data shows that nearly 900,000 passports were issued last year, which is a 129 per cent increase in one year, suggesting that many skilled professionals are also leaving the country.
Looking specifically at the medical sector, the Government Medical Association of Sri Lanka reported that more than 600 doctors including specialists left the country in 2022. The Ministry of Health is receiving at least 40 applications per day from doctors for migration and some rural hospitals are on the verge of collapse due to lack of doctors and nurses. Other reports show that skilled workers such as IT specialists, accountants, bankers and tourism industry personnel and academics are also beginning to leave – for example a recent newspaper report describes a university that was forced to close its course on paediatrics because of the departure of all the departments’ professors.
There is speculation that Sri Lanka may head towards its biggest brain drain with the relentless pressure due to food, fuel and medicine shortages, high inflation and now the new personal taxes.
The Sri Lankan government is actively encouraging migration for work. For example, it started a scheme last year under which public sector doctors can take five years of unpaid leave as long as they remit US$100-500 per month if they find work abroad; the foreign minister’s office advertises job openings with foreign governments on social media etc. This approach by the government aims to help reduce the public sector wage bill and increase remittances to the country that would contribute to building up its foreign currency reserves.
British Council comments:
With regards to the higher education, the societal attitude towards migration and decreasing public trust in domestic government universities is translating into demand for international qualifications and post study work visa opportunities. According to data from the Home Office, the number of UK student visas issued to Sri Lankan students rose by 875 per cent in 2022 in comparison to 2019 (pre-pandemic).
Sri Lankan students are also opting for international university foundation programmes or TNE programmes in their home country as the public universities in Sri Lanka continue to experience difficulties such as delays in the admission process and in the academic year as well as lack of resources. Local TNE stakeholders report that the UK is in high demand among young people, and TNE institutions are keen to explore more partnership opportunities with UK universities to diversify their offer and meet the diverse demands of potential students.
The Sri Lankan government is also currently planning to open the option for foreign universities to establish their branch campuses in Sri Lanka. This policy has two main objectives: retaining important forex in the country and providing cheaper options for young people to obtain international qualifications.
For further details:
https://www.economist.com/asia/2023/03/30/middle-class-sri-lankans-are-fleeing-their-country
https://news-decoder.com/with-an-economy-in-crisis-sri-lankans-migrate-out-for-jobs/