Columbia International Affairs Online: Working Papers

CIAO DATE: 02/2009

Labor Migration in the Baltic States

Jill Leandro, Janis Mikits

January 2009

U.S. Military Academy, Department of Social Science

Abstract

The purpose of this analysis is to evaluate labor migration in the Baltic States, determine its extent and its causes, and suggest possible policy recommendations designed to confront unsustainable emigration and brain drain.
Due to their small populations, it is difficult to obtain data on emigrants from the Baltic States in their new country of residence. Therefore, this study utilizes data about Baltic residents from the Gallup World Poll and statistical data from the Baltic States and the EU.
The results suggest that current emigration in the Baltic States is driven by perceived economic opportunities and quality of life concerns, such as education and attitudes towards minorities. The dissatisfaction with economic opportunities exists in spite of the recent sustained high growth rates of the Baltic economies. Thus, labor migration and brain drain could metabolize into a much larger problem in the event of an economic downturn.
The suggested policy recommendations focus on improving economic conditions and quality of life concerns within the Baltic States.