Title  Skilled Portuguese emigration: movement and emigrant networks as a contribution to the country of origin
Author  Adriana Marcela Araújo
Advisor  Rita Ribeiro
Year  2012
Institution   Institute of Social Sciences, University of Minho
Degree  Masters
Area  Sociology - Development and Social Policies
Keywords  Qualified emigration, Migratory network, Mobility
URI  https://repositorium.sdum.uminho.pt/handle/1822/23323

Abstract 

The second decade of the 2000s is being marked by profound socioeconomic changes that affect, with diverse levels of impact, many countries. Portugal is currently living an economic crisis that affects not only workers in general but specifically graduated people. This crisis led to increasing unemployment rates and precarious employment. Among qualified workers, the lack of job opportunities and stability have led to the decision of leaving the country, looking abroad for better conditions and quality of life and labor. Indeed, the country witnesses the exit of a qualified generation that could contribute with knowledge and skills for its development. In this context, it is relevant to study how Portugal can benefit from the exit of qualified professionals. Having as background studies that mostly suggest, a benefit to the host country, this thesis aims to analyze the reasons for emigration and, secondly, to demonstrate that Portuguese qualified emigrants, while staying abroad, have an active role in their relationship with the society of origin, promoting the exchange of knowledge and experience, stimulating new ideas and investment that may lead to the development of the country of origin.