‘Should I stay or should I go?’ : young people’s perspectives on moving abroad

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to explore Maltese young people’s perceptions of moving abroad. While young adulthood is often associated with a desire to take on new ventures, it is also a life stage characterised by significant decision-making, including considerations of migration. Local survey data by Ernst & Young (EY) in 2022 found that over 70% of young individuals would rather reside or work abroad. However, sociological theories related to migration highlight that the decision of moving abroad is highly complex due to the multiple factors that must be taken into consideration before departure. This article draws on in-depth interviews and a focus group with young Maltese people who have moved abroad and those who wish to move abroad in the future, in order to understand their thought process in relation to the question: “Should I stay or should I go?”. The findings revealed that even though issues such as traffic and overpopulation are factors which motivate young people to move abroad, other factors such as family commitments and the close-knit communities tend to hold young individuals from moving abroad. The study also highlighted that moving abroad is rarely a spontaneous decision; rather, it involves prolonged reflection and long-term planning. This points to a clear distinction between the discourse of departure and actual migration. In other words, expressing a desire to move abroad does not necessarily translate into eventual departure.