Return and Circular Migration Motives of Nordic and Baltic Citizens during the Covid-19 Pandemic and Diaspora Engagement

What is it about?

This article contributes by examining the migration motives of citizens from developed countries in the initial year of the COVID-19 pandemic (March 2020-March 2021), with a specific focus on return and circular migration to the Nordic and Baltic countries. The primary aim is to comprehend the reasons behind individuals returning during this period and to assess the likelihood of their continued stay or participation in further circular migration. Through our exploratory study, we leverage existing migration theories to analyze a distinctive dataset, evaluating the adequacy of current scholarship in explaining and predicting migration patterns during a crisis. This research adds valuable insights to the ongoing discourse on the impact of COVID-19 on migration patterns, particularly among highly qualified individuals. It underscores the need for additional exploration into the influence of emotions, social connections, and obligations in understanding motivations for return and circular migration. Additionally, our study sheds light on how governments, with established diaspora policies and initiatives promoting return migration, interacted with the returning citizens.

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