¶ … Brain Drain in both Developed and Developing Economies:
Brain drain defines as the personnel migration in the search of better standards of living and an expected quality of life, which includes accessible advanced technologies, better paid jobs and sometimes a more stable political condition in different places around the world. The professionals who migrate for better work opportunities, both locally and internationally are victims of the growing concerns of unstable economic systems in most developing countries. Why do talented people choose to move abroad? What areas are affected by such migrations especially the educational sector? Which policies can stem such movements from developing countries to developed countries? (Samuelson. 2004).
Economic drain is experienced when there is a migration of skilled resources for education, trade, etc. Trained human resource is a requirement everywhere in the world. However, better living standards, attractive salaries, access to modern technology and a more stable governmental environment is what attracts people across international borders. The majority of trend is moving from developing to developed countries, because these countries have invested greatly in education, and professional training for fresh graduates, this however translates as loss of considerable human resource for the country these professionals migrate from, with the direct benefits going to the migrated countries/states who have not even invested in their education (Amiti & Wei. 2004). The key point to be remembered here is that the highly trained, professional and intellectuals of any country are some of the most expensive resources for that country in terms profitable material cost, time and more importantly because of the lost opportunity.
In 2000 alone, almost 175 million of the world's population which is approximately 2.9%
was living outside their birth country for more than 5 years. Out of this figure, 65 millions were the most active economically. This type of migration, in the past has involved many health professionals, nurses and physicians. The main reason for searching for employment in other countries is the inadequate benefits and high unemployment in one's own country.
The concept of international migration first emerged as a major economic concern in the 1940s when many trained Europeans moved to UK and USA. Then later in the 1970s, UN published a detailed 40-country research on the magnitude and emigration flow of trained professionals. According to this report, ninety percent of the migrating professionals were moving to just 5 countries: Australia, Canada, Germany, UK and USA. In 1972, 6% of the worlds doctors (140-000) were situated outside their home countries. Over three quarters were found to be only in UK, USA and Canada (Romer. 1990). The countries these resources emigrated from reflected colonial and linguistic conflicts, with a majority seen in Asian countries: India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
Productivity Growth and Unit Labor Costs Since 1950
Decade
Average Quarterly Productivity Growth
Average Quarterly
Unit Labor Cost
Growth (%)
1950's
2.6
2.4
1960's
2.6
2.2
1970's
1.9
6.1
1980's
1.5
3.6
Source: Contrary Investor (2004). "The Moment of Truth for Productivity?"
If proper calculations are done then, by linking number of resources per 10-000 populations to GDP, the countries with more production of sustainable employees who showed growth in their fields after emigration were Egypt, India, Pakistan, Philippines and South Korea. However, the lack of reliable data and the difficulties of defining whether a migrant is 'permanent' or 'temporary' still exist (Romer. 1990). A few economists may suggest that the migration from developing countries to a more sustainable country, in many cases is useful, important and very much unavoidable. there are of course permanent advantages, the most common being allowing a migrant to spend good time in other countries, but economically for governments there is a very low emigration rate of professionals to and from USA or UK and may be as disturbing sign as the high rates of immigration to these countries.
The implications for poor sending countries are stark. According to the "African Capacity Building Foundation," the continent of Africa loses 20,000 skilled workers every year to developed countries with better work opportunities. Considering this, all the efforts being made by the developed world may not be of any use if the required personnel required putting into effect these development related programs are missing. Every year it is estimated that there are 20,000 fewer people in Africa than the year before; this means 20,000 fewer people to be a part of their nation's economic growth, public...
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