People who are professionals and well-educated relocate from one country to another due to better job opportunities and living conditions available abroad. This phenomenon is highly prevalent in developing countries that experience severe economic instability, lack of job opportunities, and poor infrastructure as it drives professionals to highly developed nations that offer good salaries, career growth along superior living standards. While this phenomenon is beneficial for the host nations, it greatly negatively impacts source countries as they lose all their human capital.
This paper discusses what drives people to relocate, the consequences, and the possible interventions for developing nations, focusing especially on Nepal.
Breakdown of Reasons Why People Migrate
Unlike most primitive nations, developing nations possess much more educated and professional people but fail to utilize them due to social, political, or economic reasons. Here are a few of those reasons:
- Economic Reasons
Disparity in income across countries is one of the most common reasons for brain drain. Poor developing nations tend to fail to offer decent salaries and employment benefits compared to what professionals are offered in developed nations. Unrest, lack of employment, and being underpaid force many professionals to go abroad and help themselves economically.
- Unemployment Ailing the Economy
Many professionals such as physicians, engineers, IT specialists, and researchers relocate to countries because they are not able to find jobs or develop professionally. Most developing nations struggle with corruption and bias through which talented individuals fail to obtain proper jobs.
- Lack of Effective Political Culture and Corruption
Corruption, political instability, civil unrest, constant change of policies, and inadequate government funding for education and new technology are some of the reasons why skilled personnel migrate in search of stability. Countries going through conflict, civil war, and dictatorship tend to have higher cases of brain drain.
- Insufficiency of Facilities for Research in Development
There is little investment in research and development in most developing countries which limits the abilities of most scientists, researchers, and innovators to do relevant work. Those professionals who wish to work in a more flexible workspace with better funding, infrastructure, and technology to aid their research are attracted to such countries.
- Higher Living Standards And Work Conditions
Most developed nations are known to provide an increased standard of living, quality health care and education, and a desirable work-life balance. Professionals looking to improve the lifestyle of their families find the need to relocate to nations with extensive social services and enhanced security.
- International Education and Scholarships
Numerous students from less developed countries seek education abroad, often choosing to settle in a foreign country afterward due to better employment opportunities. Scholarships and research opportunities provided by foreign universities serve to perpetuate this phenomenon.
- Social and Cultural Considerations
The view that foreign countries offer a more progressive and accepting society adds to brain drain. People coming from more conservative or repressive societies may want to leave to look for personal autonomy, gender equality, and social acceptance.
Consequences of Brain Drain
- Detrimental Effects to the Original Country
The primary country, particularly developing countries, incurs costs that are detrimental because of brain drain:
Loss of His or Her Skilled Labor Pool: The lack of expert professionals in critical areas such as public health, education, and information technology greatly hampers the progress of a nation.
Loss of National Productivity: The absence of these educated and trained individuals results in lower productivity and stifled growth leading to economic recession.
Reduced Health Care and Educational Services: The shortage of practitioners, engineers, and teachers in a number of underdeveloped nations leads to deteriorating healthcare and educational outcomes.
Increased Reliance on Expatriate Professionals: The home country has little choice but to engage foreign consultants and other professionals to help, which is costly and often inefficient.
- Demographic Imbalance: An exodus of the young and educated leaves the home country with an old population, which creates economic and social problems.
- Positive Effects on the Home Country
Positive Effects on the Home Country, albeit few, do exist and these include:
Remittances: Migrants contribute to the home economy by sending money to their families.
Knowledge Transfer: Expatriates can be educated through direct participation, travel, or the Internet.
Encouragement for Reforms: Sustained emigration makes governments to take corrective actions in terms of policies regarding infrastructure and the economy incentivizing emigration.
- Benefits for Host Countries
As noted earlier, developed countries benefit from brain drain and do not incur spending on developing the skills of emigrating professionals. Therefore, they receive:
Economic Growth: Countries with high immigration rates witness an increase in output due to the integration of new workers.
Filling Job Market Gaps: A number of developed countries have a deficit in the public health sector, information technology, and engineering, which is met by foreign nationals.
Cultural Diversity: Immigration fosters multiculturalism and aids the development of diverse art and more global partnerships.
Addressing the Issue of Brain Drain
- Prospects Potentially Improving Economic Growth and Employment Rates
The government needs to pay substantial attention to lower levels of unemployment and higher salary rates. The focus should be placed on subsidizing and investing in infrastructural projects and new industries which in return, provide reasonable career opportunities.
- Advancement of New Technologies and Research Marketing Skills
Increase the budget for research and development in order to increase the number of skilled professionals in the country. Forming joint ventures with foreign companies and institutions can make it easier to acquire new technologies and superior knowledge.
- Enhancing Educational System and Workforce Training Processes
Establishing globally competitive quality educational institutions can discourage students from studying overseas. The provision of scholarship awards, research grants, and protective mentor assistance policies can unleash extraordinary talent.
- Positive Effects of Encouraging Skilled Emigrants to Return to the Country
Policies and tax incentives can positively encourage skilled professionals to return back home. Funding for research and appointing expatriates to senior managerial positions can give a little incentive for us to return and extend some skills for the betterment of the country.
- Accomplishment of National Development Goals Through Improvement of Soft Systems of Governance
Encouraging nation-building campaigns that people can feel free to contribute to without interacting with corrupt systems can give them an idea of how transparent the country is elegantly governed.
- Diaspora Engagement
Numerous expatriates are prepared to give assistance to their homelands. Governments ought to cultivate relations with their diaspora by fostering business collaborations, sponsoring knowledge exchange initiatives, and facilitating remote work opportunities.
- Public-Private Partnerships
Government and business cooperation can enhance the quality and number of available jobs and encourage creativity in the workplace. Businesses should be motivated to sponsor skills acquisition and increased productivity training sessions.
- Creating a Favorable Work Environment
Changes in the organization of work, such as flexible working time, better advancement opportunities as well as professional equalization can aid in the retention of employees. Supporting professionals seeking to venture into business and encourage the formation of new firms can also help retain these talented experts.
Conclusion
Brain drain has remained a key problem for many developing countries including Nepal. Although migration helps the individual seek better opportunities, it is often detrimental to the home country. To resolve such an issue, the government needs to work towards improving overall economic conditions coupled with investing in education and research, while reaching out to expatriate communities. With the right measures in place, brain drain can be shifted to “brain gain”, as these talented individuals can help aid the development of their home country, be it directly or through remote means.