Return migration and re-integration of returnees challenges in the origin country

Abstract

Return migration, traditionally not a well-studied and often neglected area, is becoming an important component of the international migration debate. Reintegration is an essential part of return migration and identified as a complex process that is experienced differently by returnees. The adaptation of immigrants in the host country has been extensively studied, while much less attention has been paid to economic and socio-cultural reintegration and the difficulties return migrants face once they come back to their homeland. Especially children and youth born in destination countries with sociolinguistic and socialization difficulties face a particularly tough reintegration process. Theoretically, there is comprehensive literature focused on return migration and reasons for return, but less in return migration policies and reintegration process. Empirically, there is a lack of studies focused on the reintegration of returnees, particularly in the socio-cultural aspect. With increased attention to the importance of this process, many states and governments have established policies or programs to encourage the return of their citizens, and facilitate returnees’ successful and permanent relocation in the new society of the origin country. This paper aims to analyze theoretically and empirically the processes of reintegration of returnees in the origin country by identifying the challenges they encounter in the economic and social-cultural life of the origin country.

Influence of Acculturation on Psychological Distress and Intergenerational Cultural Dissonance

“…The findings are in line with the previous literature that postulates that the prevalence of common mental disorders was found to be 27.6% among migrant returnees (Habtamu & Zeleke, 2017). Moreover, different studies found that return migrants of a young age are more likely to face psychological distress after their return (Hautaniemi et al, 2013;Ndreka, 2019;Yendaw et al, 2019).…”

Return Migration and Reintegration in Serbia: Are All Returnees the Same?

“…According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), 20-50% of migrants return to their place of origin or emigrate to a third country within five years of arriving in their initial destination [11]. Given the intensity and scope of return migration, it is not surprising that this topic is increasingly being discussed by academics in the 21st century [12].…”

Understanding Moroccan Return Migration and Intermarriage Dynamics : The Case of Moroccan Returnees from Japan

“…The issue of voluntary return migration has remained invisible for a long time in the context of international migration and mobility studies (Arowolo, 2000;Weber, 2015Ndreka, 2019. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), about half of international migrants return annually to their countries of origin.…”