Skilled migration and brain drain

Abstract

This paper discusses the issue as to whether or not emigration depletes the stock of skilled workers in the country from which workers emigrate. Some proponents of the thesis that emigration leads to brain and skill drains argue that the country involved should not allow trained workers to emigrate. This paper argues that ‘trapping’ skilled workers is more than likely to be counter-productive, and concludes that if the emigration door is shut, the stock of skilled personnel is likely to fall in the source nations. The promise of jobs and higher income, particularly in a rapidly integrating global marketplace for skilled workers, provides individuals with the incentive to upgrade their skills, and this leads to investment in human capital in the source country. A ban on emigration of such workers will dissuade training in the skills and professions that are in demand globally.