International educational migration is an integral part of global processes that exerts a multifaceted influence on the socio-economic development of both receiving and sending countries. In host countries, migration contributes to the growth of cultural diversity and innovative potential, while at the same time posing integration challenges. For countries of origin, youth migration has an ambivalent effect: the risk of a “brain drain” is combined with the possibility of “reverse knowledge transfer” upon graduates’ return. This article presents an analysis of migration processes between 2020 and 2024, disaggregated by gender, age groups, and countries of origin. Within these processes, young people aged 15–34 represent the most mobile cohort, striving for education and employment abroad. The study also examines the intensity of academic mobility among youth within the framework of state programs and intergovernmental agreements.
The empirical basis of the research is a sociological survey of Kazakhstani high school students. The aim of the study is to analyze Kazakstan high school students’ aspirations to study abroad and their social attitudes associated with choosing an educational trajectory. The survey carried out among 450 school students of grades 9-11 from both urban and rural schools in Kazakhstan. A purposive sampling method was applied, considering such criteria as place of residence (urban/rural), type of educational institution, gender, and grade level.
Data analysis reveals a pronounced polarization of migration orientations. High school students planning to study abroad are mainly motivated by professional aspirations and the improvement of language skills. Gender-specific patterns are observed: professional ambitions dominate among young men, while personal growth motives are more significant among young women. Those not planning to study abroad emphasize substantial financial costs, lack of interest, and a preference for pursuing higher education in Kazakhstan. However, even within this group, there remains potential interest in international education programs.