The Migration Policy Center has issued a policy paper on the brain drain problem – and says it is a more nuanced issue than commonly believed.
About one quarter of immigrants into developed countries (OECD countries) have advanced degrees.
MPI says that countries that try to restrict out-migration of talent, such as healthcare professionals, fail to achieve the gains they desire. Migration of skilled workers can and does result in reverse transfer of money, technology, and democratic ideals. Also, in developing countries, skilled workers are often under-employed. Lack of skilled labor in developing countries, MPI says, is due to “structural causes” and out-migration is not the demon it is thought to be. Laws to restrict out-migration are, MPI says, are harmful. Origin countries need to pay more attention of the use of skilled workers in government, non profit and for profit communities.
The report says that skill flow from developing to developed countries:
Seeds new industries and transfers technology,
Causes more investment of education,
Generates remittances which greatly exceeds the cost of the skilled person’s education in the originating country, and
Massively improves migrant’s opportunities.
MPI recommends “bilateral” planning to improve skill training and skill flow.