«Economic exiles». The new Spanish emigration to Latin America and the Caribbean (2008-2016)

Abstract

The article analyzes the Spanish emigration to Latin America between 2008 and 2015, with the prospect to approach a quantitative reality, of understanding the demographic profile of the new Spanish emigrants to Latin America, the causes of their migration, the initial problems of migration process and their expectations of the future. We use a mixed quantitative and qualitative methodological strategy, combining first and second order research. Findings include that these migrants are mostly young and middle-aged workers, highly qualified and with work experience, pushed from Spain by the economic crisis and attracted to Latin America for its labor opportunities. However, the idea of returning to Spain predominates.