An Article about Brain Drain

Brain Drain or Brain Gain?

Brain drain or the migration of skilled workers from developing countries to the developed ones is a controversial issue. Some people believe that the migration of highly  specialized workers generates benefits while others think it creates problems.

In my opinion, the migration of highly skilled and specialized workers generates both benefits and drawbacks. On an individual level, it may be good for some workers, eager to improve their financial situation or to escape economic or political difficulties in their own countries so that they enjoy a better quality of life in the host country: earn higher wages and have better opportunities. On a larger level, human migration is also beneficial for the countries to which talent migrates. For those countries skilled migration means gaining human capital embodied in the stock of productive skills and technical knowledge. In fact, when the most talented individuals depart for education or opportunity to a rich host country, they indirectly contribute to making it more prosperous and richer. However, this phenomenon is perhaps most problematic for developing nations where the outflow of scientists and technologists has a negative impact on their economy and development: they are losing qualified individuals who make enormous economic and social contributions. 

To my mind, the migration of highly skilled workers doesn’t only affect the development of poor countries but it also widens the growth gap between rich and poor nations. The situation could be worse in the future unless migrants are encouraged to be repatriated.