In Kurdistan Region, youth migration in Pishdar has escalated sharply, alarming local leaders and civil society groups. Hundreds of young people continue to flee the district of Pishdar, seeking refuge from deepening unemployment and harsh economic conditions.
Pishdar Mayor Abubakr Bayiz estimated that nearly 300 people left the area within just a few days. He warned that numbers may rise even further. “What is being said in the media is true,” Bayiz explained. “If this crisis continues, migration will only grow.”
Pishdar lies in eastern Kurdistan Region, centered on Qaladze town, with a population of around 160,000. Despite the area’s agricultural richness, especially in orchards, fish ponds, and farmlands, young residents still face few job opportunities.
One of them, 22-year-old university student Danyal Salim from Qaladze, is preparing to leave soon with five close friends. He explained that rising costs have made it impossible to complete his studies. “If I had another option, I would stay,” he said. “I either die or reach Europe.”
Many migrants from youth migration in Pishdar risk their lives by crossing through Turkey and the dangerous waters of the Aegean Sea. Over the years, thousands have tried to reach Europe from Iraq and Kurdistan, escaping not only poverty but also widespread corruption and ongoing political stagnation.
Ahmad Hassan, director of the Raparin Youth Organization, described the current wave of departures as an emergency. “This is no longer migration—it’s an exodus,” he said. “In a single night, 70 young people left Qaladze. Most of them were under 18—some as young as 15.”
Hassan stressed that the youth migration in Pishdar poses a long-term threat to the future of the area. He said the loss of the district’s young population could harm both development and community stability.
Although local authorities and community leaders continue to raise awareness, they lack the resources to stop the growing trend. Many families remain silent out of fear or desperation. Most say they have lost hope in local reforms or meaningful government action.
Meanwhile, smuggling networks continue to thrive by offering young people false promises of safety and success in Europe. Reports indicate many never arrive, falling victim to arrest, fraud, or tragedy along the way.
Unless real economic and social improvements occur soon, Pishdar may continue to lose its youth at an alarming rate. Experts warn that if the government fails to act, other districts may soon experience the same crisis.