Towards Balanced Mobility: Analysing Student Flows in Europe Using Gravity Models

Context

The Erasmus Plus programme is crucial in advancing the European Union's objectives in youth and education. By facilitating study and work opportunities abroad for students and staff, the programme encourages personal growth and lifelong learning, promotes a more diverse global workforce, and strengthens cross-cultural ties between European countries.

Despite this, not all European countries and regions participate in the Erasmus Plus programme to the same extent. And more evidence is needed to explain the barriers or enablers of a country’s participation in the program, including a systematic analysis of multiple factors, like a country’s socioeconomic and demographic characteristics. A better understanding of these factors will help to design policies that effectively promote more balanced and equal mobility opportunities across Europe.

Goals

This research project explores and sheds light on the factors influencing student participation in the Erasmus Plus programme across different European countries. The study systematically analyses the current mobility flows between participating countries, examines the regional differences in participation patterns, and aims to identify socioeconomic and demographic factors driving or hindering students' willingness to participate in the program.

Methods

We use administrative data about Erasmus Plus mobility focusing on students’ flows between countries and the determinants of these flows. Several factors influence student-mobility decisions, including economic, cultural, and demographic differences. We apply statistical methods typically used to examine trade and migration flows, such as gravity models, to assess the relative importance of these factors of student flows, including financial constraints, language barriers and socioeconomic characteristics of the participating countries.

Expected outcomes

Our analysis will provide insights into fundamental barriers and enablers of student mobility across Europe. This evidence will inform and provide recommendations to improve equal participation in the programme.