Migration & the “Escape Mentality”: Should You Stay in India or Move Abroad? I

In 2025, the question many young Indians are wrestling with is no longer “What should I do?” but “Where should I do it?” The global shift in lifestyle aspirations, value systems, and opportunities has made the migration debate more relevant than ever.

Let’s talk about the phenomenon increasingly referred to as the “Escape Mentality.”

 

🔎 What Is the “Escape Mentality”?

The "escape mentality" reflects a growing mindset among Indian youth who feel disconnected or limited by the current ecosystem—whether due to societal norms, job market saturation, lack of freedom, or infrastructure. It's not always about seeking luxury, but about seeking respect, peace, opportunity, and self-worth.

 

✈️ Why Are Young Indians Looking Abroad?

1. Higher Education: Beyond Degrees

While India has prestigious institutions, the sheer competition and limited access make students explore options abroad. Global universities offer:

·         Better infrastructure and research funding

·         Flexible, interdisciplinary learning

·         Smoother migration-to-work pathways

 

2. Clean, Organized, Safe Living

Cities like Toronto, Amsterdam, and Melbourne represent the ideal: green spaces, public transport, clean air, and civic sense—a sharp contrast to India's congested urban life. Health and quality of life are top priorities for Gen Z.

 

3. LGBTQ+ Rights and Freedom

Although Section 377 has been repealed, India still lacks marriage equality, adoption rights, and anti-discrimination laws for LGBTQ+ individuals.

For many queer Indians, moving abroad is about safety, dignity, and legal protection—not luxury.

 

4. Better Pay, Better Careers

A recurring theme:

·         Tech, research, finance, and creative professionals can earn 3–5x more abroad.

·         Structured progression, skill-based hiring, and a more robust middle class make it attractive.

·         Private equity, startups, and climate-tech sectors abroad are more evolved.

 

5. Work-Life Balance & Mental Health

Western cultures increasingly prioritize:

·         Work-life boundaries

·         Mental health access

·         Burnout prevention

In contrast, hustle culture in India is intense, and therapy is still stigmatized or inaccessible to many.

 

🇮🇳 But Isn’t India the Land of Opportunity Too?

Yes—and increasingly so!

·         India is the fastest-growing large economy.

·         Emerging sectors like AI, defence tech, space, renewable energy, and fintech are booming.

·         The cost of living advantage is real, and entrepreneurial freedom is high.

Moreover, a growing number of returnees (reverse migrants) are bringing back global experience to fuel India's development story.

 

🧠 It’s Not Just a Career Choice—It’s Emotional

·         Migration involves cultural shock, isolation, and navigating identity in foreign lands.

·         Staying in India might mean conforming to rigid societal expectations or feeling stagnant.

Both options come with emotional trade-offs.

 

🤔 Ask Yourself Before Deciding:

·         Are you moving toward growth or simply escaping discomfort?

·         Will the move improve your quality of life, not just income?

·         Are your mental health and support systems strong enough to manage the transition?

·         Is this part of a long-term vision or a reaction to short-term frustration?

 

💬 Final Thoughts

There’s nothing wrong with dreaming of a life abroad. But the key is to migrate with clarity, not compulsion. The grass isn’t always greener—it’s just different.

Let migration be a strategic step, not a desperate escape.

Whether you choose to stay or go—do it with intent, not impulse.