MIGRATION OF ROMANIANS TO DEVELOPED COUNTRIES. REASONS, CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS

With the fall of the communist regime and Romania�s accession to the European Union, international migration of Romanians has increased. Romania is one of the countries with the most intense migration from Eastern Europe to Western Europe, significantly impacting both the Romanian society and destination countries. Although this social phenomenon has been studied from various perspectives, the present research aims to examine in depth the lives and experiences of those who have chosen to emigrate: the reasons for their decision to relocate, their perceptions of the host country, and of the country of origin, the difficulties and strategies of integration, as well as their prospects. In order to answer these questions, we conducted qualitative research using in-depth interviews as data collection method. Although economic reasons are among the main reasons why Romanians choose to emigrate, social and cultural factors also play an essential role in their decision not to return to Romania. For the country of origin, migration can have unintended consequences: a decrease in the country�s human capital and experts in certain fields. At the same time, migration can harm family life through separation from loved ones and difficulties in maintaining ties with the Romanian community and culture. A deeper understanding of this complex phenomenon can identify both the benefits and challenges of Romanian migration and ways to manage and maximise its potential for Romania and Romanians.