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Over half of India’s youth are eyeing jobs abroad, chasing bigger paychecks and brighter career paths, a trend showing a shift towards global aspirations
The report shows that 46% of respondents cite financial gain as their main reason for migration, followed by career growth at 34%, personal goals at 9%, and global exposure at 4%.
For millions of young Indians, the idea of success is increasingly tied to global opportunity. A new report by AI-driven talent platform TERN Group reveals that 52% of India’s youth are either planning or actively preparing to work abroad, driven by the promise of better careers and higher earnings.
TERN Group is an AI-powered global talent mobility platform specialising in international workforce movement. Their findings are based on insights from nearly 8,000 conversations across the country, captured through the platform’s year-end migration barometer.
Financial And Career Growth Drive Migration
The report highlights that financial advancement is the primary motivation for migration, cited by 46% of respondents. Career growth follows closely at 34%. Personal aspirations account for 9%, while the desire for global exposure motivates 4%.
This suggests that the current migration trend is driven primarily by economic factors rather than lifestyle preferences alone.
Changing Migration Preferences And Destinations
Migration preferences are evolving, with 52% of respondents stating that their preferred destination has changed over time. A further 43% have clearly expressed interest in international career opportunities, underlining the growing appeal of global professional mobility.
There is a noticeable shift towards Europe and Asia as preferred migration destinations. Germany has emerged as the most favoured country, attracting 43% of respondents. It is followed by the United Kingdom at 17%, Japan at 9%, and the United States at 4%.
This trend reflects the rising global demand for Indian talent, a view shared by 57% of respondents.
Strong Regional Participation In Nurse Migration
The survey reveals a significant regional concentration in nurse migration. A majority of nurses moving abroad, around 61%, originate from states outside India’s major metropolitan centres, highlighting strong participation from tier-2 and tier-3 regions.
Delhi NCR accounts for 17% of migrating nurses, reflecting higher awareness and access to international placement networks. South India and the Northeast each contribute 9%, reinforcing their long-standing role as key talent pools for the global healthcare workforce.
Barriers Continue To Hinder Migration Plans
Despite strong interest in overseas opportunities, several challenges persist. Language requirements are the biggest hurdle, cited by 44% of respondents, with 36% still at the stage of learning a new language.
Trust in traditional recruitment systems remains a concern. Nearly 48% of respondents reported personal experiences with unethical recruitment practices, while 15% said they had heard of such cases from peers.
Other major challenges include lack of proper guidance (33%), high costs (14%), and long waiting periods (10%).
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January 08, 2026, 09:44 IST
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