Publication
Return and development: increasing the developmental impact of return migration in South Serbia

For several years, Serbia has been faced with considerable flows of return migration. Even though empirical evidence from other countries indicates that returnees can have a positive impact on their home countries’ development, return migrants to Serbia are presently perceived as a burden for the country and its welfare system as a survey from 2011 shows.

This paper examines the difficulties and needs of return migrants with regard to their economic situation, housing, personal documents, recognition of foreign diplomas and school certificates, schooling, social integration and health. Based on the findings, recommendations for reintegration measures are made, accounting for the specific needs of different groups of returnees.