Education Economics of Student Mobility in Asia-Pacific and the Fourth Industrial Revolution

Abstract

The dynamics of international student mobility are influenced by educational, political, social, cultural, and economic factors. The “push” factors relate to students’ home countries and the “pull” factors relate to the host countries (Cummings 1993). This push-pull theory explains the dynamics of international student mobility as it relates to macro structures including state policy, educational systems, and socio-economic situations. Analysis of the macro level, however, cannot explain the microstructure of the factors that divide individuals who go abroad to study from those who do not. Similarly, the push-pull theory says little about whether a government should support international student mobility or not. In this regard, educational economics is a useful way to analyze the microstructure that influences individual decisions made by students and governments.