Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/326941 
Authors: 
Year of Publication: 
2025
Series/Report no.: 
UNU-MERIT Working Papers No. 2025-012
Publisher: 
United Nations University (UNU), Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (UNU-MERIT), Maastricht
Abstract: 
This paper explores the transformative potential of intra-EU student mobility as a cornerstone for fostering social cohesion, economic resilience, and pan-European identity. By analyzing historical trajectories, policy frameworks (e.g., Erasmus+), and case studies from Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany, and Eastern Europe, we argue that achieving 50% intra-EU student mobility by 2035 could counteract nationalist fragmentation, address labor shortages, and catalyze innovation. However, systemic challenges–brain drain, political resistance, linguistic tensions, and funding inequities–necessitate asymmetric funding models, retention incentives, and phased implementation. Drawing on empirical data and policy evaluations, this study proposes a roadmap for harmonizing EU higher education while mitigating regional disparities. While moving forward towards more mobility attention needs to be paid in national policies for national concerns.
Subjects: 
student mobility
European integration
brain drain
Erasmus+
labor markets
JEL: 
I23
I25
I28
J60
L78
O10
O52
Persistent Identifier of the first edition: 
Creative Commons License: 
cc-by-nc-sa Logo
Document Type: 
Working Paper

Files in This Item:
File
Size





Items in EconStor are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.