The Great Diaspora: Out-Migration From Punjab

The culture of Punjab has its own fragrance; from the aroma of hospitality to the enriching historic past, the state has it all.

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The scent of this fertile land is such in which the warmth of you are-my-own’ is inborn. A guest in Punjab is considered as representative sent by God but today, a major chunk of the population from Punjab is becoming someone's unwanted guest. This is the plight of present-day Punjab, where unprecedented increase in emigration to distant lands is becoming a trend. The out-migration from Punjab presents a complex and multifaceted issue, with many push factors playing a significant role. However, the irony lies in the fact that this phenomenon challenges the very foundations of Punjab's culture of social integration and strong community bonds, raising questions about the state's future and the need for strategies to retain its talent and cultural heritage.

Distant Lands with Significant Punjabi Population

Around one lakh Punjabis move abroad each year and this rate is constantly on the rise with each passing year. This wave of Punjab's migration to the west is the lastest of the waves and the one, perhaps, with the most implications. The Punjabi diaspora numbers around the world which are given between 3 and 5 million, are mainly concentrated in Britain, Canada, the United States, Western Europe, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Australia and New Zealand. Currently, Canada and the US remain popular destinations for skilled workers and students from Punjab. However, the Gulf, in particular, is a significant destination for employment opportunities for unskilled labor force.

Why Punjabis are Leaving their State?