ABSTRACT
After the 2008 recession, Covid19 pandemics starting in 2020 hit hard on the European labor market. The effects of unfavorable labor market trends strongly affect one of the most sensitive labor market population: European youth. This paper offer insights in students' migration intentions. We use questionnaire to identtfr the key drivers behind the highly educated young people's intention to migrate upon their graduation as well as the expected work and non-work benefits of living abroad. We present the results of a quantitative study based on 714 responses collected from Croatian higher education students. Factor analysis was carried out to cluster groups of factors relevant for the analysis, followed by regression model to relate the migration incentives and the potential for real migration. According to the results, Croatian university students' aspirations to move internationally are inspired with their urge for professional and personal development in a significant proportion, followed by socio-economic drivers. Contrary to previous research, personal ties with friends and relatives in a destination country didn't prove to be significantly relevant in our model. Understanding students' motivation, aspirations and intentions can prove useful to predict the future demographics, as well as dynamics of the labor market.