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Essay on Brain Drain

Brain Drain is defined as the emigration or migration of individuals of talents and skills from developing or under-developed countries to developed ones. It means impoverishment of intellectuals, professionals, and technical resources of one country and enriching another. It is also known as the mass departure of skillful resources from a country. It brings a potential economic decline to the nation. Brain Drain subjects to a vital threat before a country. This migration results in a great loss to the countries where they are born and educated. Higher education is one of the important reasons for permanent emigration.

We, at Vedantu, have provided the students with an essay on brain drain with two perspectives in mind. The first one is the concept of making the students understand what is brain drain and next, to make them develop their essay writing skills which are useful in several ways including the need to write essays for improving their writing skills, for making good answers in the exams, to help the students prepare better result for themselves by going through this process.

The term ‘Brain Drain’ was first used by the United Kingdom in 1960 when the skilled workforce started emigrating from the developing or under-developed countries to the developed countries (first world countries). It refers to the situation when highly qualified and trained people leave his/her own country to permanently settle down in other developed countries.  It is also known as human capital flight. With the beginning of globalization, ideas, opinions, skills in the form of labor started being exchanged between the nations. 

This concept of Brain Drain is a matter of serious concern for any nation because it takes off individuals from their homeland to another foreign land. Often people go abroad to pursue higher education and settle there because of better work and attractive pay packages. Talented, skilled, and experienced professionals migrate to other countries for better career prospects. They get attracted by better standards of living and quality of life, higher salaries, access to advanced technology, and more stable political conditions in the developed countries which lead to migration from less developed countries. 

The factors for the rise of Brain Drain are also called Push and Pull factors. The Push factors are the factors connected to the country of origin and Pull factors are the factors connected with the country of destination. 

Push Factors:

The basic facility is not congenial for research and education in the institutions.

Under-employment for thousands of engineering graduates, scientific and technical manpower waiting for respective assignments. 

Political instability.

Poor quality of living.

Limited access to health care facilities.

Less economic opportunity.

Pull Factors:

Better Economic prospects.

Better Research facilities.

Employment Opportunities.

Relative Political Stability.

Modern Education System and a better chance of advancement.

There are Three Types of Brain Drain

Geographical Brain Drain: This refers to the emigration of highly skilled professionals to other developing countries in search of better-paying jobs. It creates a negative impact on the economic development of the homeland. 

Organizational Brain Drain: This refers to the departure of experienced and talented individuals from one organization to another. This exodus can be very harmful to organizations. 

Industrial Brain Drain: This refers to the movement of skilled and trained workers from one industry to another for a better salary. This causes a shortage of experienced workers in the industry from where they depart.

Overall, Brain Drain is a widespread phenomenon these days. Many developing and under-developed countries are suffering from the loss of talents and skilled professionals like India, Africa, and Arab countries. The governments and private firms should take some strict measures to control this by aiming towards a better and friendlier atmosphere. They should provide better working conditions, improve infrastructure in educational institutions, create more employment opportunities, increase salaries and develop rural places.  Making laws and strictly implementing them should check discrimination and bias at workplaces. Incentives should be given to youngsters from going abroad in search of work. These action plans can solve the problem of Brain Drain.

10 facts on Brain Drain Essay

The Brain Drain is the migration of talented geniuses from their homeland to other countries in search of a better life and jobs.

It occurs when people go out and settle abroad for their jobs or for making careers.

People often go abroad for their higher studies and after having finished their studies, they settle over there and do not return to their homeland which also causes brain drain.

It is of vital concern especially for developing countries like India, where it can have negative effects.

Countries like India keep losing citizens who have the potential and talent to change the economic conditions of the country.

However, Brain Drain is a call for hope for the countries to which the people migrate for their jobs or studies.

The countries which receive the migrating people from the other countries benefit a lot from them.

The problem of brain drain can be easily solved by providing better working conditions, good pay, and other facilities in the home country to the people.

Political disturbances are amongst one the other causes of brain drain.

Brain Drain also occurs in some countries as a result of poor living conditions for the people which pushes them to migrate to other countries.

Study the different points related to brain drain and compile a good essay on this topic. Learn more about this topic and seek assistance from Vedantu to get the best words on paper. Score well by brilliantly scribing this essay in exams and competitions.

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FAQs on Brain Drain Essay

1.  What is Brain Drain?

Brain Drain is the mass departure of talented and skilled individuals from a developing or under-developed country to a developing country. The Brain drain in simple words is defined as the migration of personnel in search of a better standard of living, quality of life, higher salaries, access to advanced technology, and more stable political conditions in the different places of the world. It is a condition which is fairly not good for the developing countries as they tend to suffer a major loss due to this.

2. What are Push Factors?

Push Factors are factors that are associated with the country of origin. The push factors are factors that motivate a person to migrate from their country or the region of living to another country in search of better jobs and living. The push factors are often used in a negative connotation, as they often consist of problems, distressing situations, and political or economic failures, depicting the poor conditions of the country. Also, this is a situation of loss for the country. 

3. What is Organizational Brain Drain?

Organizational Brain Drain refers to the departure of experienced and talented individuals from one organization to another. This is similar to the original concept of brain drain. The concept involves the shift of employees from one organization to the other due to various reasons which include the movement due to organizational issues like poor working conditions, low pays, unhealthy work environment, etc. due to which the organization faces a challenge in many ways like the building of poor reputation within the industry and the like. 

4. How to Prevent Brain Drain?

There are a lot of ways in which both the companies and countries can stop the problem of brain dragon some of which include the following:

To prevent the problem of Brain Drain, the governments of developing and under-developed countries should take stern measures of providing better working conditions to the employees in the form of infrastructure, health, travel, and other such measures. 

The government must try to create more employment opportunities in the country itself so the people do not need to move by bringing in projects, developments, etc.

The government must try stopping discrimination with the people in all forms be it in terms of discrimination on the basis of age, gender, culture, religion, and others and any bias among employees. 

The government must also work on the development of rural places to generate employment opportunities in the rural areas of the country.

5. Where can I get an Essay on Brain Drain?

The students can easily get essays on brain drain from the website of Vedantu for free of cost. The students will also have the access to many more new concepts which will help them in understanding better the different topics that persist. Vedantu also helps the students by providing them with other study material and resources like sample papers, previous year’s question papers, and other important resources that will help them in preparing for the exam and writing better answers.

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Essay on Brain Drain

Students are often asked to write an essay on Brain Drain in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Brain Drain

Introduction.

Brain drain refers to the migration of skilled professionals from their home country to another for better opportunities. It’s a global issue affecting many nations.

Causes of Brain Drain

Brain drain is caused by several factors including lack of opportunities, low wages, political instability, and poor living conditions in the home country.

Effects of Brain Drain

Brain drain leads to loss of skills and intellectual resources. It can slow down the development of a country and create imbalance in the global distribution of talent.

To combat brain drain, nations need to improve their living conditions, provide better opportunities and create a stable political environment.

250 Words Essay on Brain Drain

Brain drain refers to the emigration of highly skilled individuals from their home countries to foreign nations, often in search of better opportunities. It is a global phenomenon that affects both developed and developing countries, posing significant socio-economic implications.

The primary cause of brain drain is the quest for improved living conditions. Professionals migrate to countries offering better job prospects, higher wages, and enhanced life quality. Political instability, lack of research opportunities, and inadequate infrastructure in home countries further exacerbate this issue.

Impacts of Brain Drain

Brain drain has a dual impact. The host countries benefit from the influx of skilled professionals contributing to their economic growth. Conversely, the home countries suffer from a loss of human capital, leading to a potential decline in their development pace.

Counteracting Brain Drain

To counteract brain drain, it is crucial for countries to create conducive environments that encourage their citizens to stay. This includes ensuring political stability, offering competitive wages, and investing in research and infrastructure. Implementing policies that promote circular migration can also be beneficial, where emigrants return to their home countries, bringing back new skills and knowledge.

While brain drain poses challenges, it also presents opportunities for global knowledge exchange. The key lies in managing this phenomenon effectively, turning the potential loss into a gain for both home and host countries. This requires concerted efforts from governments, institutions, and individuals alike.

500 Words Essay on Brain Drain

Understanding the phenomenon of brain drain, the driving forces of brain drain.

The primary drivers of Brain Drain are socio-economic in nature. The quest for improved living conditions, higher wages, and better career prospects are some of the primary reasons why skilled professionals migrate. Political instability, lack of infrastructure, and limited research opportunities also contribute to this exodus.

The Impact of Brain Drain

The impact of Brain Drain is multifaceted, with both negative and positive outcomes. On the negative side, the departure of skilled professionals leads to a knowledge gap in the home country. It hampers the growth of industries and research, and can even affect the country’s economy.

Brain Drain vs Brain Gain

While Brain Drain is often viewed negatively, it’s important to consider the concept of Brain Gain. This refers to the influx of skilled professionals into a country, which can lead to significant economic and social benefits. Developed countries often experience Brain Gain, which contributes to their continued growth and development.

Addressing the Issue of Brain Drain

Addressing Brain Drain requires comprehensive strategies that focus on improving socio-economic conditions, political stability, and research opportunities in the home country. Governments should invest in education, research, and development, and create an environment that encourages innovation and entrepreneurship.

Brain Drain is a complex issue with both negative and positive impacts. While it can lead to a loss of valuable human capital for developing countries, it can also result in economic benefits through remittances and the return of skilled professionals. Addressing this issue requires a balanced approach that not only prevents the outflow of talent but also encourages their return. The key lies in transforming the Brain Drain into a Brain Gain, thus turning a potential loss into a win-win situation for all involved.

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What Is Brain Drain?

Understanding brain drain.

  • Types of Brain Drain
  • Reducing Brain Drain

The Bottom Line

Brain drain: definition, causes, effects, and examples.

causes and effects of brain drain essay

Katrina Ávila Munichiello is an experienced editor, writer, fact-checker, and proofreader with more than fourteen years of experience working with print and online publications.

causes and effects of brain drain essay

Investopedia / Mira Norian

Brain drain is a slang term that refers to a substantial  emigration or migration of individuals out of a country. It can result from turmoil, the existence of favorable professional opportunities in other countries, or a desire to seek a higher  standard of living . Brain drain can also occur at the organizational or industrial levels when workers perceive better pay, benefits, or upward mobility in another company or industry.

Key Takeaways

  • Brain drain is a slang term that refers to substantial emigration.
  • Brain drain can result from political turmoil or the existence of more favorable professional opportunities elsewhere.
  • It causes countries, industries, and organizations to lose a core portion of valuable individuals.
  • The loss of tax revenue can be a consequence of brain drain.
  • One of the best ways to reduce brain drain is to boost government investment in the local economy.

Brain drain is the movement of people from one area to another. It often occurs between countries and cities where there's a sharp discrepancy in available opportunities. Individuals might move to look for work or a better standard of living. Brain drain can also refer to the movement of professionals between corporations or industries for better pay or opportunities.

Brain drain causes countries, industries, and organizations to lose a core portion of valuable individuals. The term is often used to describe the departure of certain professionals, including doctors, healthcare workers, scientists, engineers, or financial professionals. The places they leave are harmed in two ways when these people leave :

  • Expertise is lost with each emigrant, diminishing the supply of that profession.
  • The economy is harmed because each professional represents surplus spending units.

Professionals often earn large salaries so their departure reduces  consumer spending  in that region or possibly in the country overall.

Geographic, Organizational, and Industrial Brain Drain

Brain drain can occur on several levels and in several forms.

Geographic Brain Drain

Geographic brain drain occurs when talented professionals flee one country or region and move to a country that they feel gives them better and more opportunities.

Several common causes can precipitate brain drain on the geographic level. They include political instability, poor quality of life , limited access to health care, and a shortage of economic opportunity. These factors prompt skilled and talented workers to leave source countries for places that offer better opportunities.

Organizational and Industrial Brain Drain

Organizational brain drain involves the mass exodus of talented workers from a company, often because they sense instability or a lack of opportunity within the company. They may feel that they can realize their career goals more easily at another firm.

Industrial brain drain happens when skilled workers exit not only a company but an entire industry .

These two forms of brain drain are usually a byproduct of a rapidly evolving economic landscape in which companies and industries that are unable to keep up with technological and societal changes lose their best workers to companies and industries that can.

Causes of Brain Drain

Several underlying factors can lead to this phenomenon. They can vary based on the type of brain drain that occurs. Some of the main reasons why people choose to leave their home countries/regions include:

  • Economic opportunities including new and better jobs, higher standards of living, access to housing and health care
  • Political strife and instability
  • Persecution based on religion, gender, or sexuality

Most brain drain is geographic but it can also occur as a result of situational factors. Skilled workers may leave companies and industries when machines and technology replace human labor.

Brain drain is also known as a human capital flight.

Effects of Brain Drain

The effects of brain drain are felt not only in the area where the brain drain occurs but also where brain gain occurs: the place to which individuals move. It can often have a chain reaction.

Areas affected by brain drain end up with a dearth of human capital . Professionals who go elsewhere end up leaving a large gap behind, one that isn't always easy to fill. Consider medical professionals in developing nations who move to parts of the developed world for better opportunities. There may not be enough qualified people to replace them when they leave. This affects the overall quality of health care.

Another effect on areas that experience brain drain is the loss of revenue . Governments rely on income taxes to fund their social programs and infrastructure projects. A mass exodus leads to a drop in tax receipts that can stunt economic growth and development.

Areas that see brain gain are also impacted. They can experience overcrowding, especially in major metropolitan areas where more opportunities are available. A lot of people in one area puts a strain on resources and this can lead to higher prices and taxes.

Measures to Reduce Brain Drain

There isn't an easy fix for brain drain but business and government leaders can do some things to reduce or minimize it:

  • Increase investments into certain areas of the economy
  • Offer competitive wages
  • Pave the way for legal and social reform
  • Improve the quality of resources such as housing and healthcare
  • Provide affordable housing solutions

Examples of Brain Drain

Brain drain has notably occurred in Puerto Rico and Ukraine.

Ukraine Brain Drain

War and conflict are big catalysts for brain drain. This was evident following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Studies conducted by the European Parliament indicated a massive displacement of the country's population across the European Union (EU) even before Russia's invasion. One of the main areas examined was the movement of students. The number of students who left Ukraine doubled from 25,000 to 50,000 between 2007 and 2014. That number jumped to about 78,000 by 2019. The majority of these students were enrolled in post-secondary institutions in Poland.

Some professionals leaving Ukraine have had a tough time finding work in their fields in other countries because of a lack of available work or transferrable skills. Some are choosing to take on lower-paying jobs to find a sense of security and safety.

Russia has experienced a flight of human capital, too. Economic sanctions placed on the country by the U.S., the United Kingdom, and Canada have had a profound impact on Russian citizens. The federal government implemented laws to punish citizens who supported Ukraine. It's been estimated that as many as 200,000 Russians had left the country by 2022.

Puerto Rico Brain Drain

Brain drain was a significant consequence of the Puerto Rican debt crisis in 2019. It was particularly evident in the exodus of skilled medical professionals. This hit the island hard. Almost half of Puerto Rico's residents receive Medicare or Medicaid but the island receives significantly fewer federal funds to pay for these programs than similarly sized states on the mainland such as Mississippi.

This lack of funding combined with the island's dire financial situation has precluded its ability to offer competitive compensation to doctors, nurses, and other medical staff. These professionals were reported to have left the island en masse for more lucrative opportunities on the mainland as a result.

This form of brain drain was prompted by Hurricane Maria which hit the island in September 2017, creating incentives for emigration.

What Does Brain Drain Mean?

Brain drain is a slang term that refers to the loss of human capital from one area to another or from one industry to another. It usually happens when skilled individuals and professionals leave their home countries, often developing nations, and go elsewhere to take advantage of better opportunities. It also occurs when individuals leave one area of the workforce and go to another.

How Does Economic Growth Help Fight Brain Drain?

Brain drain occurs when there's a lack of opportunity in a certain area. Professionals living in a developing nation might leave in search of better opportunities in parts of the developed world. Making economic investments to boost growth often provides incentives for people to stay because it means access to better and more resources, personal economic prosperity, and the potential for a higher standard of living.

What Impact Does Brain Drain Have on Developing Nations?

Brain drain and the exodus of human capital often have a big impact on developing nations. It leaves a hole that's hard to fill because there may not be as many people with similar skills to fill the void. It also leads to a loss in tax revenue and this can result in higher taxation to make up for the shortfall. Citizens may not be able to access quality resources such as education and health care and this also affects their quality of life.

Human capital is a vital part of the economy but these individuals may look elsewhere for better jobs, higher pay, and an improved standard of living when conditions get tough. A mass exodus of people can lead to brain drain. It can have lasting effects on the local economy when human capital is depleted from an area.

European Parliament. " Russia's War on Ukraine: Ukrainian Students in the EU ."

NBC News. " A Brain Drain Is Devastating Ukraine ."

BBC News. " Russia Faces Brain Drain As Thousands Flee Abroad ."

Center on Budget and Policy Procedures. " Puerto Rico's Medicaid Program Needs an Ongoing Commitment of Federal Funds ."

National Provider Identifier (NPI) Dashboard. " 2020 Update-Aftermath of Hurricane Maria and the Emigration of Health Care Professionals to Mainland US ."

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. " National Hurricane Center, Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Maria ." Page 2.

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The Global Brain Drain: Understanding its Causes, Impacts, and Solutions

  • February 27, 2023

The Global Brain Drain: Understanding its Causes, Impacts, and Solutions

Brain drain is a term used to describe the process of highly educated and productive individuals leaving their home country to pursue better opportunities abroad. This phenomenon is becoming increasingly prevalent and has the potential to have a profound impact on both the countries that are losing talent and the countries that are gaining it. In this article, we will explore the definition of brain drain and the reasons behind it.

Reasons behind Brain Drain

There are a number of reasons why people choose to leave their home countries and seek opportunities abroad. One of the most significant is the availability of higher paying jobs. For example, an engineer in India earns an average salary of 800,000 rupees per year, or about 10,000 US dollars.

However, if that same engineer were to become qualified in the United States, they could potentially earn ten times that amount or more.

Another factor that contributes to brain drain is the quality of life. Advanced countries like the United States are often less crowded and polluted than many areas in developing countries, making them a desirable place to live. Additionally, advanced economies tend to have lower rates of violence, making them a safer place to live and work.

Impact of Brain Drain

A. Effects on Developing Countries

  • Loss of Human Capital and Talent: One of the primary effects of brain drain on developing countries is the loss of human capital and talent. When highly educated and productive individuals leave their home country to pursue better opportunities abroad, they take with them a wealth of knowledge and expertise that could have been used to drive innovation and economic growth at home. This is particularly damaging for developing countries that are already struggling to build out their technical industries and create jobs for their citizens.
  • Acceleration of Aging Population Problems: In addition to losing valuable human capital, brain drain also accelerates the problems that developing countries face with aging populations. As their most productive workers leave for advanced economies, they leave behind a shrinking pool of workers to support the growing number of elderly people who are no longer able to work. This puts a significant strain on the few young people who are still able to work, and it also exacerbates the problems that developing countries face with pension systems and public services for the elderly.

B. Benefits for Advanced Economies

  • Influx of Skilled Workers: Advanced economies, on the other hand, benefit from brain drain by being the sink that these skilled workers drain into. By offering higher incomes and a better quality of life, advanced economies are able to attract the best and brightest workers from around the world. This not only helps to address the problems of an aging population, but it also stimulates the domestic economy as these skilled workers bring with them money from their home country to cover the costs of living and establishing themselves in their new home.
  • Contribution to Wealth Gap: Brain drain also contributes to the growing wealth gap between advanced economies and developing countries. As advanced economies continue to attract the best and brightest workers from around the world, they are able to maintain their position at the top of the global economy, while developing countries are left behind. This further solidifies the divide between rich and poor countries, making it increasingly difficult for developing countries to catch up and join the ranks of the advanced economies.

Brain Drain

Brain drain is a complex and multi-faceted issue that has significant impacts on both developing countries and advanced economies. While advanced economies benefit from an influx of skilled workers, developing countries are left to deal with the loss of their most productive citizens, as well as the acceleration of problems related to aging populations.

To address this issue, it is important for both advanced and developing countries to work together to create conditions that allow people to thrive and succeed in their home countries, rather than having to look abroad for opportunities.

Solutions to Brain Drain

A. Improving Living Conditions in Developing Countries : Brain drain is a major problem faced by many developing countries, but there are steps that can be taken to address it. One solution is to improve the living conditions in these countries. By reducing corruption, crime, and pollution, people will be more likely to stay and work in their home countries.

  • Reduction of Corruption, Crime, and Pollution Corruption, crime, and pollution are major issues that contribute to brain drain in developing countries. People are often motivated to leave these countries in search of a better life, and these issues can make it difficult for them to stay. By reducing corruption, crime, and pollution, governments can create a more attractive environment for people to live and work in.

B. Investment in Advanced Industries : Another solution to brain drain is to invest in advanced industries that can attract skilled workers. By creating jobs in industries that are in high demand, governments can incentivize people to stay and work in their home countries.

  • Attraction of Skilled Workers Investing in advanced industries can help to attract skilled workers who may otherwise leave their home countries. By providing opportunities for people to work in industries that they are passionate about, governments can encourage them to stay and contribute to their home country’s economy.

C. Challenges and Limitations : While there are solutions to brain drain, there are also challenges and limitations to consider. For example, it can be difficult for developing countries to attract investment and create advanced industries. Additionally, there may be cultural and linguistic barriers that make it difficult for people to integrate into new environments.

Despite these challenges, it is important for governments to take action to address brain drain. By improving living conditions, investing in advanced industries, and overcoming the challenges and limitations, they can create a better future for their citizens and help to build stronger, more prosperous communities.

Brain Drain is a complex issue that has far-reaching impacts on both developing and advanced economies . It is a problem that requires a multi-faceted approach to address its root causes effectively. In this article, we have explored the definition of Brain Drain, its reasons, and impacts on both developing and advanced countries. Additionally, we have also discussed the solutions to this problem that focus on improving living conditions in developing countries and attracting skilled workers to advanced industries.

A. Complex nature of Brain Drain

Brain Drain is a complex issue that stems from a combination of economic, social, and political factors. The lack of opportunities, poor living conditions, and high levels of corruption in developing countries drive talented individuals to seek better opportunities in advanced economies. This results in a loss of human capital and talent for the former and a gain for the latter.

Moreover, Brain Drain also exacerbates the aging population problems in developing countries, contributing to their economic decline. On the other hand, advanced economies benefit from the influx of skilled workers and their contribution to the economy, leading to a widening wealth gap.

B. Need for a multi-faceted approach to address root causes

To address the root causes of Brain Drain, a multi-faceted approach is necessary. Improving living conditions in developing countries through reducing corruption, crime, and pollution is one way to keep talented individuals from seeking opportunities abroad. Additionally, investing in advanced industries to attract skilled workers is also an effective solution.

However, there are challenges and limitations to implementing these solutions, such as the cost of investment, the difficulty in reducing corruption, and the need for political stability. Nevertheless, the benefits of addressing Brain Drain are significant and include a more equitable distribution of human capital and talent, a reduction in wealth gap, and a more prosperous future for all.

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Modern Diplomacy

The phenomenon of highly educated and skilled professionals moving from their home country to another country in search of better employment opportunities, living conditions, and other benefits is known as brain drain . This phenomenon presents several difficulties, including a sizable loss of human capital, a decline in the innovation and productivity of the source nation, and a potential imbalance in the distribution of talent globally.

Brain drain has become a major issue for many developing nations, as it results in the loss of talented people who could make significant contributions to the economic and social development of their home nations. Since a large number of highly skilled professionals have left Pakistan in search of better employment opportunities, the nation has struggled with a serious brain drain issue.

Causes of Brain Drain

The brain drain is caused by a number of factors. The absence of employment options in the country of origin is the main factor. It can be difficult for many highly qualified professionals to find employment that matches their education and experience, which causes them to look for opportunities elsewhere. Due to low pay and unfavorable working conditions in some countries, professionals may also struggle to support their families. Instability in politics, poor infrastructure, and limited access to technology can all be contributing factors.

The same is true for Pakistan, where one of the main reasons for the brain drain is a lack of economic opportunities. Many highly qualified professionals, such as doctors, engineers, and IT experts, are compelled to look for opportunities abroad because they cannot locate domestic jobs that match their skill sets. Similarly, long-standing political unrest in Pakistan has been characterized by frequent administration changes and a pattern of military takeovers.

Simultaneously, through their financial contributions, the diaspora communities—which include expatriates, overseas Pakistanis, and Pakistani Americans—have a significant impact on Pakistan’s economy. Whereas, doctors, engineers, scientists, and business owners are just a few of the highly qualified professionals living in the Pakistani diaspora. These professionals can help Pakistan develop by sharing their skills and knowledge because they have worked in developed nations where they have gained invaluable experience and knowledge.

Implications of Brain Drain

There are several detrimental effects of brain drain on developing nations. First, it leads to a shortage of highly skilled professionals, making it challenging to develop critical sectors such as healthcare, education, and technology. An additional effect is a decrease in investment in education and training. Secondly, governments invest a lot of money in professional development and education, and when these people leave the workforce, that investment is lost. Third, a reduction in innovation, research, and development may result from brain drain. It can also worsen economic inequality because most highly skilled and educated individuals can afford to emigrate.

Moreover, brain drain has serious repercussions for the country of origin. Highly skilled individuals frequently leave the country, resulting in a sizable loss of human capital that can harm the nation’s economic development. Sectors like healthcare, education, and research—which demand highly skilled personnel—feel the impact of this loss most acutely. Furthermore weakening the nation’s economy is the possibility of brain drain causing a general decline in productivity and innovation. Additionally, the exodus of talented people can make already-existing social and economic disparities worse by depriving the country’s marginalized communities of qualified professionals who can assist in meeting their needs.

Possible Solutions for Brain Drain

The issue of brain drain has been addressed with a number of solutions. In-country wage increases and better working conditions are two potential solutions. This may attract highly qualified professionals and persuade them to remain and support the growth of their nation. Making investments in vital industries like healthcare, education, and technology is an additional solution. Whereas, governments can foster an environment where professionals are more likely to stay and contribute to the growth of their nation by offering more employment opportunities and better infrastructure. A further way to entice professionals to stay in the country is by providing incentives like tax breaks and housing subsidies.

However, Pakistan must create a comprehensive strategy to address this issue that aims to retain its skilled workforce and draw in foreign investment. To provide training opportunities and help Pakistanis develop industry-specific skills, one potential solution is to form partnerships with foreign institutions. With this strategy, education, and training can be of higher quality, increasing the employability of Pakistan’s skilled labor force.

Pakistan should also concentrate on improving the environment in which companies can operate. The government should offer incentives to foreign investors to set up their businesses in Pakistan, which will create more job opportunities for the local workforce. To create a stable and conducive environment for businesses to operate, the government should prioritize investments in vital sectors like infrastructure, healthcare, and education.

Raising the standard of living in Pakistan is another way to draw and keep skilled workers. This can be done by funding social welfare programs, enhancing the standard of healthcare, and making sure that people live in a safe and secure environment. With this strategy, Pakistan’s citizens and the wider world may have a more favorable impression of the country.

The development of many developing nations is seriously threatened by brain drain. Some of the main reasons include a lack of job opportunities, low pay, unfavorable working conditions, poor infrastructure, limited access to technology, and political unrest. The detrimental effects of brain drain include a lack of highly skilled workers, a reduction in investments in education and training, a decline in innovation, research, and development, and a worsening of economic inequality.

However, there are potential solutions to these problems, such as enhancing working conditions and raising salaries, investing in important industries, and providing incentives like tax breaks and housing subsidies. Governments can improve the environment for professionals to stay and contribute to the growth of their nation by putting these solutions into practice, which will ultimately result in more economic and social advancement.

Last but not least, the loss of talent from Pakistan is a serious issue that hinders the development and growth of the economy in that nation. The main causes of this trend are the state of the global economy, unstable political conditions, and a weak educational system. By investing in education and training, fostering a more welcoming environment for businesses, and raising the general standard of living of its people, Pakistan can, however, position itself to attract and retain skilled workers in a fiercely competitive global marketplace.

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Brain Drain: Causes and Effects

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causes and effects of brain drain essay

  • Amartya Sen 1  

Part of the book series: International Economic Association Conference Volumes, Numbers 1–50 ((IEA))

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When in A.D. 1600 the question was asked in Oxford University’s Arts Seminar: ‘An peregrinatio conducat ad philosophandum?’ (‘Does migration stimulate philosophical thinking?’), the precaution was taken of requiring the students to answer the question in the affirmative. 2 The problem of ‘brain drain’ has not been viewed in quite such unequivocal terms in the recent literature on economic development. This is not surprising since a systematic migration of a large part of the skilled and technologically sophisticated labour force from an under-developed country would indeed pose a serious challenge to the economic, technological and scientific development of such a country.

This paper incorporates some of the materials used in an earlier unpublished study. ‘The Brain Drain and the Production Function’, which I completed during 1968–9 for the Harvard University Project for Quantitative Research in Economic Development. It also uses the statistical findings of a report I prepared for the United Nations during 1968 entitled ‘A Quantitative Study of Brain Drain from the Developing Countries to the United States’, to be published in the U.N. Journal of Development Planning . For helpful discussions I am most grateful to T. C. Chang, Hollis Chenery and Harry Johnson.

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Sen, A. (1973). Brain Drain: Causes and Effects. In: Williams, B.R. (eds) Science and Technology in Economic Growth. International Economic Association Conference Volumes, Numbers 1–50. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-01731-7_15

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Brain Drain [Sample Essays and Vocabulary]

Posted by David S. Wills | Feb 27, 2023 | Model Essays | 2

Brain Drain [Sample Essays and Vocabulary]

For today’s English lesson, we are going to look at the topic of “brain drain.” This is a phenomenon that occurs when lots of talented people move from developing countries to developed ones. It is an interesting topic with many issues to debate, so it is possible that you could encounter it in the IELTS writing test.

What is “brain drain” and how could it appear in IELTS?

According to the Cambridge Dictionary, “brain drain” means:

the situation in which large numbers of educated and very skilled people leave their own country to live and work in another one where pay and conditions are better ( source )

This is quite a big issue nowadays and it affects many parts of the world positively and negatively. As the world becomes more interconnected, it seems reasonable that it will continue to be a problem in the future.

This sort of topic is most likely to occur in the IELTS writing test and specifically in task 2. In fact, I’ll show you two sample answers below. You might also see a reading passage about “brain drain” in the reading test and I suppose it is theoretically possible that it could be the subject of section 4 of the listening test.

However, I cannot imagine that you would realistically see questions about this in any part of the IELTS speaking test. It is slightly too specialised and talking about it is a little too difficult.

causes and effects of brain drain essay

Language related to “brain drain”

When it comes to the topic of “brain drain,” you should think of this generally as being a sub-topic of work , education , and immigration . Note that IELTS topics often overlap like this.

As such, to talk about this, you should be comfortable with vocabulary related to these areas and specifically the points at which they intersect. Here are some examples:

  • advanced economy
  • developed country
  • developing country
  • emigration / emigrant
  • immigration / immigrant
  • permanent residency
  • standard of living
  • tertiary education
  • tuition fees

Make sure that you know more than just the loose meaning of each word or phrase. It is important that you know precisely how to use them.

Also, I have tried not to include more common words like “abroad” but obviously you should be familiar with them and confident about how to use them.

You can read more about common IELTS topics here .

How to think of ideas about “brain drain”

Sometimes, IELTS questions can be difficult not just because of the language required but because of the topic. While some people have strong opinions about brain drain, others don’t. They simply can’t think of anything to say or worry that their ideas aren’t very developed.

For this reason, it is useful not just to learn vocabulary in preparation for your IELTS test, but also to learn ideas. You can do that in different ways:

  • reading articles
  • listening to podcasts
  • watching videos or documentaries
  • engaging in debates

I recently saw this very interesting YouTube video, which goes into detail about why brain drain hurts some countries and why it keeps happening.

I have a whole article about how to generate ideas for IELTS .

Sample Essays

Ok, now let’s look at some sample questions and answers. These are quite similar but the types of question are different and so I have written different answers.

Brain Drain Essay: Problems and Solutions

Here is our first question:

An increasing number of professionals, such as doctors and teachers, are leaving their own poorer countries to work in developed countries. What problems does this cause? What can be done to deal with this situation?

As you can see, this is a problems and solutions question . That means you need to firstly explain the problems caused by brain drain and then suggest some solutions.

Sample Answer

In the modern era, it is common for people to move around the world for various reasons, including immigration purposes. This sometimes results in people leaving a poor country to go to a richer one, in a phenomenon that is sometimes known as “brain drain.” This essay will look into the reasons for this and also suggest some solutions.

The allure of wealthy countries is naturally going to appeal to many people from poorer nations. They look to these places and see opportunities for themselves and their families, as well as clean environments and high-quality homes and goods. It is natural, then, that these people will aspire to leave their own country and move to a more developed one in the hope of a better life. They study hard and take every possible chance to give themselves a brighter future, and once they are able to emigrate, they leave their home country and travel to their new home. This is usually a positive step for them, but it tends to trap poor countries in a cycle of poverty.

Solving this problem is clearly not easy because it is a pretty natural phenomenon and people will always want to give themselves a better life. However, if there was a way to encourage doctors and other professionals to stay in their home nation, they could help to build it into a much more prosperous society, ultimately resulting in generations of educated people with no real desire to leave. Another option is for that nation to attempt to attract doctors and teachers from other countries as a way of filling the knowledge gap. This would not be easy, but again if it were achieved it would result in a strengthened nation that would no longer encourage its citizens to leave.

In conclusion, it is a natural occurrence that people want to move to cleaner, more developed places with safer streets and better standards of living, which is why educated people flee from poor nations. However, solving this problem will not be easy and may require some creative action by various governments.

Notes on the Answer

I have a simple but effective structure here:

IntroductionExplain the main issue (brain drain) and then give essay outline.
Body paragraph #1Explain the causes (higher quality of life; more opportunities).
Body paragraph #2Suggest solutions (tempting people to stay; attracting people from abroad).
ConclusionSummarise main ideas.

In terms of language, I will note some useful phrases:

  • The allure of wealthy countries
  • see opportunities for themselves
  • high-quality homes and goods
  • take every possible chance
  • a brighter future
  • a cycle of poverty
  • a much more prosperous society
  • filling the knowledge gap
  • a natural occurrence

You will see that my solutions are not very definite but that’s because there are no easy solutions. Some students write things like “The government should pay doctors more money.” However, is this a realistic suggestion? If governments had unlimited money and could pay doctors more, they probably would. Therefore, use careful thinking and language skills to show reasonable ideas. Don’t worry about your suggestions being weakened by the admission that these ideas might not work. It is better to show that you are aware of this than to confidently make unreasonable suggestions.

Brain Drain Essay: Discuss Both Views

Here is our second question:

Some people believe that professionals, such as doctors and engineers, should be required to work in the country where they did their training. Others believe they should be free to work in another country if they wish. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

You can see that this is a “ discuss both views ” question, so it is a little different from the previous one. Also, I suppose it is technically possible that you could answer this without mentioning brain drain, but still the idea is clearly connected.

A small number of people think that highly trained professionals should be required to work in the same country where they did their training, but most people disagree with this. This essay will also disagree, suggesting that they should be free to work where they want.

To begin with, it is understandable that people might argue in favour of professionals working in the country where they trained because in some cases that country has paid for their training. Take, for example, a doctor who received medical training at the government’s expense in a relatively poor country. If they moved to another country, perhaps in order to earn a higher salary, then the government’s investment would have been wasted.

However, there are a few problems with that viewpoint. First of all, professionals of this nature usually pay for their own education, and so if they were required to stay in that country then it would be unfair. A lot of people invest in their education purely to gain the chance of moving to another country for a better life. Then, of course, there is the argument that all people should have some freedom of movement. Particularly in the case of highly trained professionals, who can bring value to different societies, it is beneficial to have them move around the world, sharing their skills and increasing diversity. Perhaps they ought to give something back to the society in which they were trained, but they should not be restricted by any law because that would be a violation of their fundamental rights.

In conclusion, people who have important skills should be free to move to other countries if they wish. They should not have a legal obligation to stay in the nation where they earned their skills, but perhaps for the sake of decency they might consider staying a short while and giving back to that society.

I have not used the phrase “brain drain” here but the essay is still about that because brain drain is what happens when these people leave their home countries in large numbers.

Note that I have discussed both views but sided with the “disagree” perspective. That means I have written a longer paragraph full of “disagree” ideas. I have also made my opinion clear throughout the whole essay, which is also essential. In the introduction , for example, my outline sentence puts my perspective across very clearly.

Here are some more useful words and phrases:

  • highly trained professionals
  • to earn a higher salary
  • the government’s investment
  • people invest in their education
  • freedom of movement
  • a violation of their fundamental rights
  • a legal obligation

Finally, note that in both these essays I avoided the trap of repeating the examples from the question. It is a common mistake that IELTS candidates see an example and assume it is the main idea of the question. In fact, you do not need to talk about doctors and engineers. You could talk about any professionals.

About The Author

David S. Wills

David S. Wills

David S. Wills is the author of Scientologist! William S. Burroughs and the 'Weird Cult' and the founder/editor of Beatdom literary journal. He lives and works in rural Cambodia and loves to travel. He has worked as an IELTS tutor since 2010, has completed both TEFL and CELTA courses, and has a certificate from Cambridge for Teaching Writing. David has worked in many different countries, and for several years designed a writing course for the University of Worcester. In 2018, he wrote the popular IELTS handbook, Grammar for IELTS Writing and he has since written two other books about IELTS. His other IELTS website is called IELTS Teaching.

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Lê Thị Ngọc

I have some questions related to IELTS Writing in general and your essays. 1. Have you tried using chatGPT for IELTS Writing? What do you think the quality of the essays it can create and how do IELTS learners use it to improve their writing? 2. In your essays + The first essay – You use near future tense ‘be going to do sth’ in the first sentence of the first body paragraph. Could you explain to me why you use this tense in this sentence? + The second essay – Actually, I see some dictionary mark ‘To begin with’ or ‘To begin’ as an informal phrase. Is it also proper when used in IELTS Writing? – In the second body paragraph, I see you use ‘increasing diversity’ which makes me confused. Could you explain what does this phrase exactly mean? Thank a lot

David S. Wills

1. I’ve tested it a few times. It’s fine but not perfect. I haven’t really looked into it as a means of learning to write essays. I know that other AI programmes are terrible at fixing grammar problems, but ChatGPT is a lot smarter, so it’s possible.

2. This is used to mean that something hypothetically does appeal to these people. I suppose it is a strange structure, but it’s quite common in English. It is like imagining a future state.

3. I don’t think “To begin with” is particularly informal.

4. It means that when people travel around, the diversity of the places they go to increases because they have more people from different places.

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The brain drain from developing countries

The brain drain produces many more losers than winners in developing countries

Université Catholique de Louvain, and National Fund for Scientific Research, Belgium, and IZA, Germany

Elevator pitch

The proportion of foreign-born people in rich countries has tripled since 1960, and the emigration of high-skilled people from poor countries has accelerated. Many countries intensify their efforts to attract and retain foreign students, which increases the risk of brain drain in the sending countries. In poor countries, this transfer can change the skill structure of the labor force, cause labor shortages, and affect fiscal policy, but it can also generate remittances and other benefits from expatriates and returnees. Overall, it can be a boon or a curse for developing countries, depending on the country’s characteristics and policy objectives.

causes and effects of brain drain essay

Key findings

The income-maximizing level of a brain drain is usually positive in developing countries, meaning that some emigration of the more skilled is beneficial.

A brain drain stimulates education, induces remittance flows, reduces international transaction costs, and generates benefits in source countries from both returnees and the diaspora abroad.

Appropriate policy adjustments, which depend on the characteristics and policy objectives of the source country, can help to maximize the gains or minimize the costs of the brain drain.

The effective brain drain exceeds the income-maximizing level in the vast majority of developing countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, Central America, and small countries.

A brain drain may cause fiscal losses.

Above a certain level, brain drain reduces the stock of human capital and induces occupational distortions.

Author's main message

The impact of the brain drain on a source country’s welfare and development can be beneficial or harmful. The evidence suggests that there are many more losers than winners among developing countries. Whether a country gains or loses depends on country-specific factors, such as the level and composition of migration, the country’s level of development, and such characteristics as population size, language, and geographic location. Policymakers should gauge the costs and benefits of the brain drain in order to design appropriate policy responses.

The term “brain drain” refers to the international transfer of human capital resources, and it applies mainly to the migration of highly educated individuals from developing to developed countries. In lay usage, the term is generally used in a narrower sense and relates more specifically to the migration of engineers, physicians, scientists, and other very high-skilled professionals with university training, often between developed countries.

Although a concern for rich countries, the brain drain has long been viewed as a serious constraint on the development of poor countries. Comparative data reveal that by 2000 there were 20 million high-skilled immigrants (foreign-born workers with higher education) living in member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), a 70% increase in ten years. Two-thirds of these high-skilled immigrants came from developing and transition countries.

Discussion of pros and cons

Key trends in high-skilled migration.

According to the United Nations Global Migration Database, the number of international migrants increased from 75 million in 1960 to 214 million in 2010. This about parallels the growth in the world population, so the world migration rate increased only slightly in relative terms, from 2.5% to 3.1% of the world population. The major part of this change is artificial and due to the break-up of the former Soviet Union, when what was once the internal movement of workers became reclassified as international migration after 1990. Overall, the share of international migrants in the world population has been stable for the last 50 years.

But the picture changes when the focus is narrowed to migration to developed countries. The proportion of international migrants residing in high-income countries relative to the total in all possible destinations increased from 43% to 60% between 1960 and 2010. As measured by the proportion of the foreign-born in the total population of high-income countries, the average immigration rate to these countries has tripled since 1960 and doubled since 1985. The increase has followed the same trajectory as the ratio of trade to gross domestic product (GDP) (see Figure 1 ).

causes and effects of brain drain essay

More of these migrants are coming from non-OECD countries. Indeed, a database of global bilateral migration published in 2011 reveals that as of 2000, migration between developing countries still dominated the global migrant stock: at 72.6 million people, migration between developing countries constituted about 45% of all international migration (see Figure 2 ) [2] . Next came migration from developing to developed countries (55 million, 34% of all migrants) and then migration between developed countries (28 million, 17%). But the growth in the number of migrants was driven largely by emigration from developing countries to developed countries, which increased from ten million to 55 million between 1960 and 2000, faster than trade.

causes and effects of brain drain essay

Emigration rates of high-skilled workers exceed those of low-skill workers in virtually all countries (see Figure 3 ) [1] . The skill bias in emigration rates is particularly pronounced in low-income countries (see What drives the brain drain, and how can we quantify it? ). The largest brain drain rates are observed in small, poor countries in the tropics, and they rise over the 1990s. The worst-affected countries see more than 80% of their “brains” emigrating abroad, such as for Haiti, Jamaica, and several small states with fewer than one million workers. About 20 other countries are losing between one-third and one-half of their college graduates. Most are in sub-Saharan Africa (such as Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Somalia) or Asia (such as Afghanistan and Cambodia). A few are small, high-income countries (such as Hong Kong and Ireland).

causes and effects of brain drain essay

Expected adverse and beneficial effects of skilled migration

The brain drain has long been viewed as detrimental to the growth potential of the home country and the welfare of those left behind. It is usually expected to be even more harmful for the least developed countries because, as explained above, with increasing development, positive selection in emigration and brain drain rates fall.

A brain drain can also have benefits for home countries. Alongside positive feedback effects from remittances, circular migration, and the participation of high-skilled migrants in business networks, innovation, and transfers of technology, consider the effect of migration prospects on the formation of human capital in home countries. New research suggests that limited high-skilled emigration can be beneficial for growth and development, especially for a limited number of large, middle-income developing countries. But for the vast majority of poor and small developing countries, skilled emigration rates significantly exceed the optimal rate (see Terms used in migration studies ).

The broad diversity of brain drain effects on development has been illustrated in case studies. The contribution of expatriate Indian engineers and information technology professionals to the Indian growth miracle has been recognized. But the medical brain drain from sub-Saharan Africa has been detrimental. A brain drain can also generate both beneficial and adverse effects for long-term development—as with the emigration of Filipino nurses to the US or Egyptian teachers to Arab states in the Persian Gulf.

Adverse effects

The social returns to human capital are likely to exceed its private returns given the many externalities, both technological and sociological (see Terms used in migration studies ). This externality argument has been central in the literature since the 1970s, and the seminal contribution on this subject concludes that the brain drain entails significant losses for those left behind and increases global inequality [3] .

Another cost is that high-skilled emigrants do not pay taxes in their home country once they have left. As education is partly or totally subsidized by the government, emigrants leave before they can repay their debt to society. This fiscal cost may be reinforced by governments distorting the provision of public education away from general (portable) skills when graduates leave, with the country perhaps ending up educating too many lawyers and too few nurses, doctors, or engineers.

A third negative effect is inducing shortages of manpower in key activities, as when engineers or health professionals emigrate in disproportionately large numbers, undermining a country’s ability to adopt new technologies or deal with health crises.

Fourth, the brain drain increases the technological gap between leading and developing nations because the concentration of human capital in the most advanced economies contributes to their technological progress.

Ambiguous effect on the educational and occupational structure of the labor force

The argument can, however, be reversed because uncertainty about the prospects for migration may create a bias in the opposite direction. When education is seen as a passport to emigration, this creates additional incentives to undertake further education. But if young people are uncertain about their chances of future migration when they make education decisions, this can be turned into a gain for the home country under certain circumstances [4] , [5] .

Case studies on the “brain gain” hypothesis

In Tonga and Papua New Guinea, nearly all (85%) of the very top high school students contemplate emigration while still in high school; this leads them to take additional classes and make changes to their course choices in favor of fields such as science and commerce [6] . In Cape Verde, emigration prospects are among the main drivers of human capital formation [7] . In Fiji, the educational attainment of ethnic Fijians has been compared with that of Fijians of Indian ancestry in the aftermath of the 1987 military coup, which resulted in physical violence and discriminatory policies against the Indian minority [8] . For the latter, the correlation was strong between changes in emigration prospects and human capital investments.

Other studies have not found evidence of a brain gain. This is so for the brain drain of physicians from sub-Saharan Africa, where limited training capacities prevent students from responding to incentives, or migration from Mexico to the US, where there is a bias toward low-skill workers in emigration prospects.

From a development perspective, however, what matters is not how many of a country’s native-born engage in higher education, but how many of those who do engage remain at home. The brain drain can benefit a home country if it increases the proportion of college graduates in the population remaining. There are two conditions for such a benefit to obtain. First, the level of development in the country should be low enough to generate strong incentives for the more educated to emigrate, but not so low that personal liquidity constraints on investment in education become strongly limiting (in which case the incentive cannot operate). Second, the probability of emigration by high-skilled workers must be sufficiently low—for example, below 15–20%. On average, the level of brain drain that maximizes human capital accumulation in a developing country is around 10%. This level varies across countries, depending on their size, location, language, and public policies. In particular, it declines with development and the effectiveness of the higher education system.

The hypothetical levels of human capital that would be obtained in the absence of brain drain have been simulated and compared with actual levels [5] . Countries with low human capital and low emigration rates are likely to experience a net gain. But there appear to be many more losers than winners (88 losers and 20 winners out of 108 developing countries). Importantly, the losers show substantial losses, and the winners only small gains. The situation of many sub-Saharan African, Central American, and small developing states appears worrisome in this respect. In contrast, the largest developing countries (Brazil, China, India) all seem to experience moderate gains.

Other beneficial feedbacks

The global impact of brain drain on development and the income of those left behind depends on other beneficial feedbacks operating after migration. The main ones are remittances, circular migration, and externalities from the presence of emigrants abroad (such as lower bilateral trade costs). The level of brain drain that maximizes income and development in the home country may then exceed 10% by a few percentage points, depending on the size of these feedbacks.

Remittances

Remittances by high-skilled migrants to family or relatives can replenish the stock of human capital that may have been depleted in the home country by the brain drain. The evidence is still unclear on the relative propensity of high-skilled and low-skilled migrants to remit. In 14 household surveys on immigrants in 11 destination countries, the relationship between education and the likelihood of remitting is mixed, but the relationship between education and the amount remitted is strong and positive [9] .

Overall, high-skilled migrants remit more, but this result does not hold in all surveys, suggesting that the link between education and remittances is diverse and varies across host/home-country pairs. In the absence of surveys that match sending and receiving households, it remains difficult to quantify the effect of high-skilled migrant remittances on investment, poverty, or inequality in the home country. The economic consequences of remittances likely vary across home countries [9] .

Circular migration

Return or circular (repeated return) migration is a promising route for allowing host and home countries to share the benefits of high-skilled labor mobility. In developing countries, the possibility of temporary emigration increases the returns to education and has the same effects on human capital formation as permanent, uncertain migration; returnees’ additional knowledge and financial capital acquired while abroad generates important benefits, especially for technology adoption, entrepreneurship, and productivity. Intentions to return are similar across skill groups, and return decisions depend on the economic and political situation in the home country.

Although return migration is probably the least documented aspect of international migration, it is commonly accepted that historical examples of massive return migration of high-skilled workers are more a consequence than a cause of development and sound policy reform in home countries.

Diaspora externalities

High-skilled migrants can reduce transaction costs between countries and thus facilitate trade, foreign direct investment, and technology transfers between host and home countries. There can also be diaspora externalities for institutional quality and for promoting democracy in the home country.

Is the brain drain a cause or consequence of poverty?

Brain drain and the economic development of home countries are two interdependent processes. First, a brain drain affects development, and its effect becomes unambiguously negative when the emigration rate is high. Second, a lack of economic growth motivates college graduates to emigrate. Interactions between these two variables can be the source of vicious and virtuous circles linked to individual decisions to migrate. Once a significant brain drain gets under way, it can have damaging effects on the economy that induce further waves of emigration by high-skilled workers (Iran after the 1978–1979 revolution, the Irish crisis of the early 1980s, the ex-USSR republics after 1991). But when a return is significant, it gives incentives to other waves of returnees to come home (Ireland after the fiscal reform of 1987, Taiwan in the 1980s).

Human capital accumulation and development slow with the brain drain, the “skill-setting curve,” and the brain drain slows with development, the “migration-setting curve” [10] . An intersection between these two downward-sloping curves represents an equilibrium. The system may generate multiple equilibria: countries that share similar characteristics may end up in a favorable equilibrium with low poverty and a low brain drain, or an unfavorable one with high poverty and a high brain drain.

In the majority of developing countries, the favorable equilibrium prevails, and the observed level of brain drain should be seen as an inevitable by-product of poverty. But in about 50% of small developing countries—those with fewer than one million working-age adults—the unfavorable equilibrium prevails, implying that poverty and brain drain could be reduced if individual emigration decisions were coordinated. This is the case with small countries such as Cape Verde, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Mauritius, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Suriname.

In badly coordinated countries, a move to the favorable equilibrium could increase wages and GDP per capita by more than 100%. If a mass brain drain is fairly recent in the country and a good equilibrium is stable, the likelihood of a coordination failure depends on how people deviate from the preceding good equilibrium in response to adverse shocks in the recent past. Small states are much more likely to be badly coordinated because migration from such states is more responsive to economic shocks. These small countries require appropriate development policies, such as temporary subsidies for the repatriation of high-skilled expatriates.

Limitations and gaps

Due to data constraints, identifying the impact of the brain drain on welfare and development in originating countries is complex. Determining the size of the effects and whether they are positive or negative remains controversial among economists. A first priority is to improve the data on international migration along several dimensions, particularly its frequency, the quality of education, and the levels of education in different disciplines. Second, the state of comparative data on immigration laws and policies, especially their bilateral dimension (between home and host countries), is another limiting factor on cross-country studies of the determinants of migration flows and for analysis of the effects of policy reforms.

With few exceptions, micro-studies of migration and development have not yet taken full advantage of the randomization revolution in statistics. A third task, then, is to design and exploit the bilateral dimensions of future migration data sets for cross-country analysis and, at a micro level, to investigate natural events and policy experiments to identify the causal effects of high-skilled migration on development outcomes.

Summary and policy advice

For many developing countries the income-maximizing or “optimal” emigration rate of highly educated workers is positive (at about 10% of the total). Imposing too many restrictions on the international mobility of educated residents could be detrimental for development, although the brain drain exceeds its optimal level in most poor countries. So, for starters, policymakers should determine the level and composition of migration from their country—and whether migration is on balance harmful or beneficial.

The conditions under which a country gains or loses are not beyond its control. To a large extent, they depend on the policies it adopts (education policy, quality of institutions) and those in force in the main host countries. The appropriateness of adjustments of local policies and supranational interventions (such as taxing emigrants, subsidizing repatriation, providing compensatory development assistance) vary with such country characteristics as population size, location, and language (see Appropriate policy responses to the brain drain are country-specific ). Policymakers should gauge the costs and benefits of the brain drain in order to design appropriate policy responses.

Acknowledgments

The author thanks two anonymous referees and the IZA World of Labor editors for many helpful suggestions on earlier drafts. This article is based on previous work [10] , [11] , [12] .

Competing interests

The IZA World of Labor project is committed to the IZA Guiding Principles of Research Integrity . The author declares to have observed these principles.

© Frédéric Docquier

What drives the brain drain, and how can we quantify it?

Terms used in migration studies.

Externality : An individual’s costs and benefits can result from the activities or transactions of others. For example, emigration of community members reduces the moving costs of other members of the same community and reduces other transaction costs between countries (such as trade costs). The latter effects are referred to as diaspora externalities.

Optimal emigration rate : The level of skilled/educated emigration that maximizes human capital accumulation in a developing country.

Private and social returns on human capital : The private return to education is the impact of the individual’s education level on her/his income or employment. The social return is the additional impact that an individual’s education has on the other members of the society.

Appropriate policy responses to the brain drain are country-specific

Should home countries rethink their education policies in the face of the brain drain? Home-country governments could respond to the departure of the highly educated by reducing the public supply of higher education. Other possible routes include promoting the education of graduates abroad or adjusting the quality of local education.

Are the immigration policies of host countries at odds with their aid and development policies? Selective immigration policies aimed at highly educated and skilled workers may or may not contradict the objectives of developed countries’ aid and development programs.

Is a “tax on brains” required for a better sharing of the global surplus arising from international high-skilled migration? Taxing emigrants could help in compensating poor countries for the potential loss of human capital and in redistributing the financial benefits that accrue to skilled emigrants. But it would be inappropriate if the originating country actually benefits from the brain drain, if emigrants were unemployed or ineffectively employed at home, if they emigrated to escape corruption, violence, and economic discrimination, or if their education was privately financed and/or acquired abroad. Such a tax could also deter return migration and encourage emigrants to voluntarily forfeit their natural-born citizenship.

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  • v.2; 2021 Nov

Brain drain: An ever-present; significant challenge to the Zimbabwean public health sector

The COVID-19 pandemic has seen developed countries relax immigration procedures for health workers seeking new work opportunities elsewhere. Our letter outlines the risks to the HIV & TB program of health workers’ outward migration from Zimbabwe, a country with one of the worst morbidity and mortality rates in the world from these two diseases. We discuss the recent legal changes in immigration to the United Kingdom (UK), which facilitate easier relocation of appropriately trained and experienced health professionals to that country. Additionally, we discuss key issues health workers in Zimbabwe face on a daily basis and why the UK is a naturally fertile ground for their migration.

Dear Editor

On the July 14, 2020, in response to the impact of COVID-19 on the healthcare sector, the British Home Secretary and Secretary of State for Health and Social Care launched a Health and Care Visa to ensure UK health and care services have access to the best global talent. The new Health and Care Visa makes it cheaper, quicker and easier for healthcare professionals from around the world to move to the UK for work [ 1 ]. This move by the UK government to address its own human resources for health needs couldn’t have come at a more dire time for low-income English-speaking countries such as Zimbabwe. While this move by the UK government will strengthen its own health system, it will undoubtably cause an increase in outward migration of well-trained and experienced Zimbabwean health workers looking for an opportunity for better working and living conditions. However, this letter is not meant to downplay the significant financial investment made over the past four decades by the British government to the public health sector in Zimbabwe.

The United Nations defines brain drain as a one-way movement of highly skilled people from developing to developed countries that only benefits the industrialized world. In Zimbabwe, brain drain has been put forward as a key contributor to the country’s weak health system over the past two decades [ [2] , [3] , [4] , [5] ]. High vacancy rates in the Zimbabwean government health services still persist. As of December 2019, positions for 34% of doctors, 25% of radiographers, and 64% of medical laboratory scientists were vacant [ 6 ]. With the relaxation of the UK’s immigration process for health workers, we caution that a substantial increase in migration of health workers from Zimbabwe has and will further deteriorate the staffing situation.

Zimbabwe has seen health workers strike due to poor remuneration and work conditions compounded with a lack of personal protective equipment in the health facilities in the face of COVID-19 [ 7 ]. A Zimbabwean doctor who is working in a government hospital in Zimbabwe is earning approximately US$100 to US$150 per month while a nurse earns around US$50 to US$75 per month [ 10 ]. Many frontline health workers in particular nurses have been infected with COVID-19 due to lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) and poor infection control at the facility level. This poor remuneration, coupled with inadequate consumables and medicines at facilities, is significant incentive for their emigration. This is an important public health threat that requires urgent attention.

Zimbabwe has one of the largest HIV & TB burdens in the world with approximately 1.3 million of its citizens living with HIV. Nurses have played a key role in the HIV & TB response and have been on a national wide strike due to low salaries and substandard working conditions; we fear a massive outward migration to the UK is imminent. We call on the government of Zimbabwe to address health workers concerns to stem the outward migration tide and improve their livelihoods as these urgent measures are needed for the country to sustain gains achieved to date in its HIV & TB response [ 8 , 9 ].

In conclusion, brain drain of health workers presents a serious threat to provision of healthcare and the achievement of the health-related Sustainable Development Goals in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe is not alone, this pattern is experienced by many low- and middle-income countries. In all such countries, we call for a renewed focus on addressing the role of brain drain on health service delivery and on the need for innovative interventions to stem the trend. Specifically for Zimbabwe, the upcoming Zimbabwe Human Resources for Health plan (2021–2025) must articulate effective strategies for mitigation of brain drain effects and improved investment in the welfare and working conditions of health care workers in the country.

The recommendations presented in this letter are the views of the authors and do not reflect the position of their institutions.

No funding was received for this work.

Ethical statement

Our study did not require an ethical board approval because it did not contain human or animal trials.

Conflict of interest

None to declare.

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    the overall brain drain rates for tertiary educated migrants who emigrated at age 22 or higher (Beine et al, 2007) to the medical brain drain rates in Bhargava et al. (2010). Across 161 countries, the median medical brain drain rate is 5.4 percent, compared to a median skilled brain drain rate of 8.4 percent.

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    Brain Drain: Analyzing Its Causes and Effects. Brain Drain, often described as the emigration of highly skilled and educated individuals from less developed or unstable regions to more developed regions, is a phenomenon deeply ingrained in the global socio-economic landscape. This occurrence has both positive and negative effects, which bear ...

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    cons. The effective brain drain exceeds the income-maximizing level in the vast majority of developing countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, Central America, and small countries. A brain drain may cause fiscal losses. Above a certain level, brain drain reduces the stock of human capital and induces occupational distortions.

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    A major cause of the shortage in these countries is the migration of health care workers from developing to developed nations, a phenomenon known as the "brain drain". The loss of these workers is having devastating impacts globally, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean. Causes of the "brain drain" are numerous and ...

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    The United Nations defines brain drain as a one-way movement of highly skilled people from developing to developed countries that only benefits the industrialized world. In Zimbabwe, brain drain has been put forward as a key contributor to the country's weak health system over the past two decades [[2], [3], [4], [5]].