Up to half of uni students, graduates considering leaving Slovakia

As many as 50 percent of university students and graduates are considering leaving Slovakia, according to a survey carried out by the Focus agency for the Public Affairs Institute (IVO) in May on a sample of 512 respondents aged between 18-29 years. Some 137,000 young and educated people thus represent a critical group in terms of a brain drain. Of this sample, 14 percent are considering leaving Slovakia permanently and 36 percent temporarily. Out of the young people who are considering leaving Slovakia permanently, 35 percent are firmly determined and another 39 percent say they are likely to leave. Of those planning to leave the country temporarily, only 8 percent are firmly determined, 34 percent say they are likely to leave, and 58 percent are still hesitant about such a decision.