REMIGRATION OF ROMANIANS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND MIGRATIONAL PROSPECTS FOR THE POST-PANDEMIC ERA

Abstract:

Romanians have engaged since 2007 on migration trajectories following a very clear road map, as a result of better regulation, networks and also better understanding of the West. In the past years the number of Romanians returning has increased, highlighting a new evolution, i.e the re-evaluation of the opportunities Romania has to offer in terms of profession and social life. In deciding whether returning is the suitable option, migrants take into account awide range of motives, from personal approaches to professional considerations,from micro-sensitivities to marco-perceptions. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted migrational trends immediately, with measurable short term effects andalso estimated long-term effects. Over 1.25 million Romanians, working and living abroad have returned to Romania (since March 2020, according to the RomanianPrime Minister, Ludovic Orban, under the pressure of the unknown in the country where they had migrated). This paper will look into official data regarding the levels of return and also to the aftermath of the return, whether it is a final return to Romania or only a stop in a circular migrational pattern. My research equally focuses on the perception migrants have on their prospective professional opportunities in Romania.

Keywords:

migration, return migration, migration theories, COVID-19, individual and family choices