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| A staggering 44 percent of young Russians want to leave |
Answered November 1, 2018
I am one of these so I guess I am competent to answer.
Some do for the same reason Britons or Scandinavians do - for the better climate, better food, better weather. Some, first of all scientists and engineers, see better applications of their talents abroad. Some go to study (inquire how many Russian children study in British schools).
Some disagree with the regime. Many hold a pessimistic view on Russia’s future, and seek stability and better-organized, corruption-free societies to become a part of. Some consider that more developed countries may give their children better life options. Some seek “a back-up airstrip” - not leaving the country right now, but preparing a safe haven elsewhere for a rainy day (lacking proper institutes of power, Russia is over-dependent on personalities to maintain stability).
Poor people go to do low-paid jobs, since even a low-paying job in a first-world country is an improvement for them.
Some see their religions restricted (for example, Jehova Witnesses are declared a “totalitarian cult” in Russia, and prohibited by a court order, so many of them ask for asylum in other countries, since they cannot practice their faith freely). While many gays and lesbians are comfortable in Russia, some prefer to emigrate to more tolerant societies, and enjoy rights such as same-sex marriage, that is not possible in Russia.
There is a million reasons to leave one’s own country. It is not XV century anymore, one can choose where to live, as long as they live respectfully to the society that accepts them.
People are free to leave and return, and there is no stigma attached to expatriates anymore. A little bit, yes, though: when I participate in a debate about Russian politics, I hear that some people comment bitterly: “you’ve left, how come you’re even eligible to discuss this”.
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