Brain Drain from Pakistan: An Empirical Analysis

Abstract

The paper is an attempt to empirically analyze the drivers of emigration of highlyqualified and highly-skilled manpower from Pakistan to 27 destination countries over the past 36 years. The econometric model employed is a bipolar specification of augmented gravity model, which is hybrid of pull-push factors of migration models and gravity model of migration. Then study constructs indices to measure drivers of brain-drain through the technique of principal component analysis. These indices are then used to analyze their potential role in the process of migration. The study finds that the main factors contributing to migration from Pakistan include the pull factors like better socioeconomic conditions in the destination countries and push factors associated with demographic and labor market condition in Pakistan. Thus the empirical findings support the underlying demand and supply based theories of migration. Based on the findings of the study and keeping in view the importance of remittances that Pakistan receives from overseas Pakistanis, the study concludes that in an over-populated country like Pakistan, unplanned brain-drain needs to be reoriented to take the form of planned brain-export.

Balancing is a necessity not leisure: a study on work–life balance witnessing healthcare sector of Pakistan

“…, 2021a). This shortage has raised serious concerns about public health and the associated risks caused by high brain drain (Farooq and Ahmad, 2017). The issue of high brain drain is very complex as numerous factors are involved, and it has a long history of existence.…”

Macroeconomic Determinants of Brain Drain in the Era of Globalization: Evidence from Pakistan

“…NetBD = net brain drain per hundred thousand population of Pakistan in year t. (Farooq & Ahmad, 2017).…”

“…People have already ample opportunities to remain integrated with the homeland. They do not want to spend so much money for the sake of tourism (Farooq & Ahmad, 2017).there is no doubt that the internet had blurred the boundaries and provided facilities to move across borders, but there is a substitute for migration and that is through virtual connectivity. Now everyone has easy access to video conferencing, online data can be exchanged anywhere at any time, there are many other means of interacting with the people who are living abroad and this could be done without actually traveling to places hence it has reduced the scope to migrate.…”

Micro Push and Pull Factors Influence Human Capital Flight in Academia: A Qualitative Study

“…A cycle of expatriation and re-expatriation is going on. This phenomenon is especially interesting in light of the fact that most returnees are in fact, serving, better positions in their native country, by virtue of their foreign experience (Farooq & Ahmad, 2017). The purpose of the current research is to find out the gaps in the research.…”

“…The literature mostly found on brain drain mostly concentrate on economic and social factors and the importance of remittances. In an overpopulated developing country like Pakistan, unexpected brain-drain needs to be re-oriented to take the form of planned brain-export (Farooq &Ahmad, 2017). The majority of issues regarding brain drain ignore the current trends based on empirical enquiry.…”