Notable Points About the Shocking Statistics of Iranian Migration (Brain Drain)

According to official statistics from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, approximately 5 million Iranians live abroad. Never in history—from the Mongol invasions to Islam—have people been separated from their homeland to this extent.

The news of 3 million Iranians migrating last year is not a statistic announced by an international organization for the Foreign Ministry spokesman to stand at the podium and say in the usual manner: “I deny this!”

This statistic was announced by the Javan newspaper, which is known for its connection to one of the most powerful institutions. Naturally, the label of counter-revolution or susceptibility to enemy propaganda does not apply to it.

Regarding the reasons and motives for migration, particularly the migration of specialists and elites, the following points can be mentioned:

Sense of Discrimination: Contrary to claims of justice, the prevailing feeling is that discrimination is rampant. For example, the income of a doctor in a developed country is never 100 times that of other healthcare staff members (including low-earning doctors). A non-shareholder doctor or nurse suffering from this discrimination in Iran decides that given the various specializations they have acquired, by migrating to a country like Oman, they can receive higher and proportionate wages and have greater dignity.

Segregation of Citizens: The division of society into insiders and outsiders, and the selection of senior managers from graduates of specific educational institutions, has created a feeling in some individuals that they are living in a society where racial discrimination is rampant.

Education: One reason for migration is to save children from the worn-out structure of education that emphasizes the imposition of ideological teachings instead of skill development. Although the results are visible, they continue regardless.

Fear of Decline: Zero percent economic growth in a decade means the economy has not only failed to grow but has actually shrunk. When people are forced every year to move to lower neighborhoods due to rising housing costs, they decide to migrate to stop or slow this process.

Converting to Rials Domestically: The exponential increase in the value of dollars and euros within the country motivates people to migrate and work abroad, converting their income back to rials.

Lack of Fulfillment: Iranian society suffers from depression for two reasons. One is due to the constant pumping of sorrow and the dominance and promotion of a culture of death in official media, and the other is the feeling of unfulfillment among a significant portion of the population. For example, a young person who wants to become a governor or parliamentary representative sees no path ahead unless they are absorbed into military, security institutions, or are a student or graduate of specific universities. Another wants to express their art, a third has ideas but feels there is no opportunity for fulfillment.

Military Service: One reason for migration or permanent departure is the type of military service that discourages young people from returning to the country or encourages them to leave.

Prison Image: The role of events after September 16, 2016 should not be overlooked. News of travel bans on famous artistic and sports figures, even if fewer than the fingers on both hands, paints an image of a prison from a land that one should escape from as soon as possible! With this perspective, a person hastens to leave the country before being banned from travel.

In Search of Dignity: The goal and motivation of all migrants should not be considered only the pursuit of better welfare and livelihood; because humans are not only seeking power, wealth, fame, or pleasure. A person, especially if they are an elite, also seeks dignity. It is natural that instead of struggling with administrative authorities, threatening dismissal, suspension, or living on less than a thousand dollars a month, they would go somewhere with greater dignity.

Future of Professions: Now with the help of cyberspace and social networks, this image is accessible. On the other hand, the pace of technology is such that the image of the future will be nothing else. At an entrepreneurs’ conference held on December 2, one expert announced that some professions like pharmacy (which will turn into selling ready-made medications in pharmacies) will disappear. He also told Snapp drivers to think of the day when autonomous vehicles come! Naturally, people are forced to migrate out of fear of unemployment.

Absolute Poverty: According to a report by KBNA dated November 22, 2022, the mismatch between incomes and price increases is such that according to experts, the poverty line has reached 18 million tomans. The increase in the price of essential and non-essential items in the country is in no way proportionate to the increase in wages and incomes of the people. In the meantime, more people have left the middle-income bracket and joined the vulnerable group. This is also a reason for migration of various classes of society.

Buying Property in Other Countries: Iranians hold the record for property purchases in Turkey. According to statistics released by the Turkish Statistical Organization, by October 2021, Iranians purchased 7,188 units in Turkey, which represented approximately a 40 percent increase compared to 2020. Given Iran’s economic conditions and the inability of various classes to buy property, migration to other countries, particularly Turkey, has increased. It is worth noting that property prices in Turkey are lower than in some major cities in Iran, and this is what has caused migration and increased the statistics of property purchases by Iranians in Turkey.

Certainly, there are other reasons that cause a person to abandon their homeland and family to experience the feeling of normal life in foreign soil.