Factors Driving Migration from Afghanistan with Emphasis on the Recent Wave and the Emigration of Elites

Abstract

Migration has a long-standing history in Afghanistan, with all its forms, including displacement and asylum-seeking, having been experienced throughout the country’s political past. The objective of this study is to address the key question: what are the primary factors influencing the recent wave of migration following the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 (1400), particularly the migration of elites, and how do these factors shape migration decision-making?

This research adopts a qualitative approach and is based on semi-structured interviews conducted with twenty political, social, and academic experts. The collected data were coded and analyzed using Nvivo 12 software through thematic analysis.

The findings indicate that economic, political, socio-cultural, and educational factors have served as the main drivers of elite migration from Afghanistan. These factors exert influence not only in the country of origin but also in destination countries. The final results of the study reveal that lack of employment opportunities, poverty, restrictions on civil liberties, limited access to education (especially for girls), and deficiencies in the provision of social services are among the most significant factors intensifying the motivation for elite migration.