In the past two years, the number of people moving to Slovakia exceeded the number of those leaving, according to a report from the Finance Ministry's analytical unit IFP. It cites data from health insurance companies which show that while in 2016 positive net migration was 600 people, last year it reached 15,000. The migration balance is improved by foreigners coming to work in Slovakia mainly in the Western regions where there is a labour force deficit on the market. Most of them are citizens of Ukraine and Serbia, but also China, South Korea and Vietnam. About 3,000 foreigners study at Slovak universities, representing about 8 percent of the entire number of students. Most of them come from Ukraine, Serbia but also Norway, which contributes a relatively strong contingent of medical students.
When it comes to Slovak citizens, 32,000 of them returned home in 2016. However, the number of people leaving Slovakia in the age group 18-28 is still slightly higher than the number of those who returned. Most Slovaks returning have done so for family reasons, usually to take care of their parents, because the working tempo is slower in Slovakia so they have more leisure time and some for patriotic reasons; to help their country progress and prosper.
