Samenvatting

An increasing number of Turkish Dutch, the Netherlands’ largest ethnic minority group, are beginning to return to their country of origin, taking with them the education and skills they have acquired abroad, as the Netherlands faces challenges from economic difficulties and socio-political tensions. At the same time,Turkey’s political, social and economic conditions have been improving, making returning home all the more appealing for Turkish migrant s at large. The authors provide explanations about the push and pull factors of return migration among Turkish immigrants in the Netherlands. The factors influencing return to one’s country of origin are, for example, the social and political climate, labour market participation and social integration in the host society, including discrimination and carrier prospects. It is assumed that remigration is more affect ed by positive developments in the country of origin than by negative developments in the country of residence. It is recommended that civil society, the business world and the Dutch government develop return-on-investment policies in order to bind these capable people to the Netherlands, at least in the form of ‘brain circulation’so that they can serve as bridge builders and know ledge workers between the two countries.