An Indian man living in Europe has sparked a discussion online after sharing his perspective on whether people earning a comfortable salary in India should consider moving abroad. He argued that while overseas jobs may appear financially attractive, higher living costs, loneliness and being away from family can significantly change the equation.
(Also read: Woman spots ‘incredibly fit’ elderly Europeans abroad, questions Indian lifestyle: ‘Something terribly wrong’)
‘There is absolutely no need to move abroad’
Taking to Instagram, Manish Yadav shared a video on his account @rao_in_malta, saying people earning between ₹70,000 and ₹1 lakh a month in India may not necessarily benefit from relocating overseas.
“If you are earning 1 lakh rupees in India, is there any need to go abroad? So brother, my opinion is that if you are earning 1 lakh rupees—not just 1 lakh, even if you are earning 70,000 to 80,000—there is absolutely no need to move abroad, brother,” he said.
Yadav acknowledged that there is money to be made abroad but stressed that it often comes with considerable personal struggles.
“Going abroad means… look, there is money abroad, but look at how much struggle there is,” he said, adding that people living overseas may miss their families, children and relatives, especially during weddings, deaths or other important family occasions.
He also spoke about loneliness, saying, “Brother, you feel very lonely here. Nobody here cares about you. Neither is anyone coming to talk to you, nor anything else. You are just lying in your room alone like a statue.”
Savings may not match expectations
Yadav further claimed that higher overseas salaries do not automatically translate into substantially higher savings because of rent and other living expenses.
“Here, even if you earn 1.5 lakh, you won’t be able to save. The savings will only be around 40,000 to 50,000 rupees. To make it worthwhile coming here, you should earn at least 2 lakh, 2.5 lakh, or 3 lakh. And not every job pays that kind of salary, brother. Rest is entirely up to you,” he said.
Watch the clip here:
The caption accompanying the video presented a more balanced comparison, noting that moving abroad could offer better work-life balance, dignity of labour, healthcare, stronger currency value, career opportunities and global exposure. However, it also highlighted higher costs, household responsibilities and distance from family.
Social media users react
The post drew several reactions, with many agreeing that salary alone should not determine such a decision. One user wrote, ” ₹1 lakh in India is actually pretty decent.” Another said, “It really depends on your priorities.”
HT.com has reached out to the user for his comments, and the copy will be updated once his response is received.
(Disclaimer: This report is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.)
