Challenging Brain Drain

Migration has always formed part of human history and there have always been those who feel the need to spread their wings or flock to pastures new for a myriad of reasons, whether economic or otherwise. And although long known as the curse of small states, an exodus of the so-called best and brightest is almost unavoidable. “Brain drain” was first coined by the British Royal Society to describe the outflow of scientists and technologists from the UK to North America in the 1950s and early M 1960s. Although this dispels the myth that human capital flight is exclusively the domain of smaller nations, there can be no doubt that small states inevitably get hit hardest.

Around five time harder than developing countries according to a 2009 report by Docuquir and Schiff, while they suffer up to twelve times more brain drain than high-income countries. With its dominance of small states, the Caribbean has naturally experienced an elevated percentage of this highly educated emigration. Nevertheless, brain drain shouldn’t always be thought of as doom and gloom. Remittances sent by emigrants back home can provide a balancing effect through increasing the inflow of hard currency into the country. And of course, the international mobility of workers can improve the flow of knowledge throughout the world. Bearing this in mind, it is fair to say that limited high-skilled emigration can be beneficial for growth and development for many nations. Nevertheless, it can’t be ignored that for the vast majority of small developing countries, skilled emigration rates significantly exceed the optimal. Once young people from small island states leave their country’s shores to seek education elsewhere, they often don’t look back. The challenge is to get them to return through job opportunities or simply not lose them in the first place – and for that educational opportunities are key. With many young people lacking the financial means to study abroad in the first place, an accessible educational offer in their home country is necessary to narrow the gap between the haves and the have-nots, giving everyone a fair shot at bettering themselves.

Unquestionably, small countries like Antigua & Barbuda do not have the economic capacity to offer all the job opportunities sought by its citizens. But through economic diversification, things are changing. As its economic offer increases, the country has been wise in simultaneously investing in its education system to nurture homegrown talent who have the capacity to propel economic change going forward. A strong educational system combined with an attractive lifestyle - like that on offer in the twin islands - are the ingredients to ensuring that a country becomes a serious contender when someone is considering where to carry out their studies. Marry that with economic opportunities and jobs and that talent is likely to remain in that nation for many years to come.

“Inclusive, good-quality education is a foundation for dynamic and equitable societies.” DESMOND TUTU