An Analysis of the Factors Behind Afghan Migration to Other Countries (Case Study: Iran and Its Adverse Effects)

Abstract

Migration is a complex social phenomenon that arises from multiple causes. While it is sometimes considered an involuntary and forced act, in other instances it becomes a deliberate and strategic decision made by certain groups or institutions. Countries involved in migration processes are generally classified into two categories: those that primarily receive migrants and those that primarily send them. The causes of migration are commonly grouped into two main categories: internal factors and external factors. Among these, external factors are often shaped by the political ideologies and structural systems of destination countries.

In the case of Afghan migration, several key external factors can be identified. These include: deliberate facilitation of brain drain by Western countries; immigration policies that encourage the outflow of skilled individuals from developing nations; demographic strategies aimed at reducing Muslim populations while increasing their own; the creation of employment opportunities and provision of welfare benefits to attract migrants; simplified processes for absorbing intellectual talent from the Global South; and the political and economic weakening of developing countries through systematic migration. In addition, such patterns may later be used as a tool for political pressure or leverage.

This study aims to investigate these external drivers of Afghan migration, with particular attention to migration flows toward European countries. The research focuses on identifying the motives and conditions that enable such migration. Its importance lies in the argument that a clear understanding of these external factors is essential for designing strategies to manage and reduce migration pressures.

This is a qualitative study based on descriptive and analytical methods. Data were collected through academic books, peer-reviewed articles, credible online sources, and the researcher’s own field-based observations and analyses. The findings suggest that external drivers, alongside internal factors such as poverty, unemployment, and social hardship, play a significant role in influencing the migration of Afghans.