Student migration as a driver of human capital development

This study investigates the determinants of international student migration and their implications for human capital development in Slovakia within the broader context of increasing global mobility.As international competition for talent intensifies, understanding the factors shaping students' destination choices and post-graduation intentions becomes increasingly important for sustainable socio-economic development.The research is based on primary quantitative data collected through a questionnaire survey administered to 150 international students enrolled in Slovak higher education institutions.The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and selected non-parametric techniques to identify significant relationships between key variables.The findings reveal that linguistic and cultural proximity, together with financial considerations, represent the dominant pull factors influencing students' decisions to study in Slovakia.In contrast, the perceived quality of education plays a comparatively limited role, suggesting that Slovakia is primarily viewed as an accessible and culturally compatible destination rather than a highly competitive academic environment.The results further indicate that a substantial proportion of students consider remaining in Slovakia after graduation; however, their intentions are strongly conditioned by economic opportunities and personal factors.The study contributes to the literature on international student mobility by providing empirical evidence from an emerging destination country.It also offers policy-relevant insights to strengthen Slovakia's attractiveness and improve the long-term retention of international graduates, thereby supporting sustainable human capital development.