How Big is the Brain Drain?

IMF Working Papers, July 1, 1998

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How Big is the Brain Drain?

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Bibliographic details

• Authors: William Carrington, Enrica Detragiache
• Published: July 1, 1998
• Series: IMF Working Papers
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9781451948424.001

Overview and research objective

• Paper investigates the empirical magnitude of the brain drain from developing countries.
• Presents estimates of emigration rates from 61 developing countries to OECD countries.
• Educational classification: three educational categories constructed using 1990 U.S. Census data, Barro and Lee’s data set on educational attainment, and OECD migration data.
• Publication details:
  • Authors: William Carrington, Enrica Detragiache
  • Date: July 1, 1998
  • Pages: 27
  • Volume: 1998
  • Issue: 102
  • Series: Working Paper No. 1998/102
  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9781451948424.001
  • Stock No: WPIEA1021998
  • ISBN: 9781451948424
  • ISSN: 1018-5941

Key empirical findings

• Emigration rates estimated for 61 developing countries to OECD countries.
• Estimates constructed from three primary data sources:
  • 1990 U.S. Census data
  • Barro and Lee’s data set on educational attainment
  • OECD migration data
• Geographic concentration of substantial brain drain:
  • Caribbean
  • Central America
  • Some African countries
  • Some Asian countries

Subject coverage and keywords

• Subjects: Aging, Education, Migration, Population and demographics
• Keywords: Africa, Aging, Asia and Pacific, brain drain, Central America, Central American country, Gulf state, human capital, International labor migration, migrants to the United States, Migration, migration rate, North America, OECD country, South America, tertiary education, United States definition, WP

Notes on interpretation and limitations

• Estimates are described in the paper as "still tentative in many respects."
• The paper highlights data limitations and the lack of systematic data sources as a constraint on precise measurement.

Source: IMF Working Paper "How Big is the Brain Drain?" by William Carrington and Enrica Detragiache, July 1, 1998.

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• How Big Is the Brain Drain? - WP/98/102
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