PhD Researcher, Universiteit van Amsterdam, e-mail address: matei.soare@gmail.com

SOCIOLOGY OF MIGRATION

ABSTRACT

The “brain drain” phenomenon and narratives about the emigration of “skilled” labour, a tendency often summed up in phrases such as “our specialists are leaving us,” occupy a prominent place in public debates about migration from Romania. Although it is not the only dominant discourse on this topic, the “brain drain” phenomenon remains one of the most influential frames through which migration is discussed in public and media debates in Romania. This article analyses the experiences of Romanian migrants labelled as “low‑skilled” in Amsterdam, whose migration trajectories and work experiences abroad do not receive the same level of public visibility as those of “skilled” migrants. Drawing on in‑depth interviews, this article explores why they chose to emigrate, how they build their lives in the Netherlands, and what they think about a possible return to Romania. Many have described the frustration caused by labels that reduce their lives to a matter of “skills” or “qualifications.” Their stories reveal not only the economic pressures that push people to emigrate, but also the emotional and social challenges of building a new life abroad, while at the same time maintaining ties to their own roots. Through the thematic analysis of migrants’ narratives, this study highlights the diversity and resilience within the Romanian diaspora. The study challenges the limitations of the “brain drain” narrative and argues for a broader, more equitable understanding of migration, which recognises the value and agency of all migrants, regardless of their educational level or type of employment. In conclusion, this article stresses the urgent need for migrants categorized as “low‑skilled” to be better represented in political and media debates, as well as in designing public policies, rather than being treated solely as a marginal or “sacrificial” category.

Keywords: Romanian migration, “brain drain”, “low-skilled” migrants, misrepresentation. 

DOI: 10.59277/RJSoc.2026.1-2.05 

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