The influence of economic indicators on international migrants in Malaysia

This study examines the influence of economic indicators on international migrants in Malaysia. The problem statement discuss a huge number of international migrants in Malaysia leads to the middle income status problem as too much dependency on lowskilled migrants. According to the New Economic Model, Malaysian sectors are enormously hiring international migrants. These international migrants are holding status as low-skilled and too much of dependency of local sectors on international migrants (low-skilled). The Fixed Effects and Random Effects Models approach had used to check the influence among the variables. The empirical analysis confirms that unemployment rate, HDI, real GDP, private consumption and total population have positive relationship on international migrants in Malaysia. Meanwhile migrant stock and real interest rate have negative relationship on international migration. Lastly there is no significant relationship between inflation rate and international migrants. The study concluded the economic indicators leads international migrants in Malaysia and reduction in international migrants (low-skilled) especially in manufacturing will help Malaysia to achieve high-level income country