Indians now our top migrants Source: The Australian INDIA has become Australia's biggest source of migrants for the first time, eclipsing China and the once-dominant Britain. In 2011-12, permanent migration from India reached 29,018 - 15.7 per cent of the total program, according to figures released yesterday by Immigration Minister Chris Bowen. "The scale of recent Indian migration is striking," said the University of Melbourne's Lesleyanne Hawthorne, who studies migration and workforce needs. "We can assume large numbers were former international students who had qualified onshore."
Transcript
Indians now our top migrants
Source: The Australian
INDIA has become Australia's biggest source of migrants for the first time, eclipsing China and the once-dominant Britain.
In 2011-12, permanent migration from India reached 29,018 - 15.7 per cent of the total program, according to figures released yesterday by Immigration Minister Chris Bowen.
"The scale of recent Indian migration is striking," said the University of Melbourne's Lesleyanne Hawthorne, who studies migration and workforce needs.
"We can assume large numbers were former international students who had qualified onshore."
In 2010-11, China was Australia's No 1 source of permanent migrants with 29,547 visas. The year before it was Britain, with 25,738 migrants. Britain had held the top position right back to 1996-97, when current records began, Mr Bowen's spokeswoman said.
However, India and China grew strongly as source countries last decade, partly in step with the international student business.
A decade ago, loose government policy led to an explosion in courses such as accounting, cookery and hairdressing that would give students skilled migration visas. Job outcomes were poor, with weak English a problem.
New rules mean that in future it will be harder for non-native speakers of English to qualify as skilled migrants but many thousands of ex-students are still in the queue for permanent residence.
Amitabh Mattoo, director of the Melbourne-based Australia-India Institute, welcomed yesterday's migration figures, saying India and Australia had much in common as "democratic, English-speaking, federal" countries.
He predicted that India, with 500 million people under 25, would continue to be a source of skilled migration.
"While most of the rest of the world is ageing, India will remain young for the next 20-25 years," Professor Mattoo said.
In the latest figures, a quarter of Indian migrants were approved in visa categories associated with ex-students and family members already in Australia.
In the skilled stream of the migration program, there were still 143,000 people "in the pipeline" at June 30, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship said.
In 2011-12, the number of cooks to be accepted as permanent migrants doubled to 4836, an increase that was questioned on labour market grounds by Professor Hawthorne.
Mr Bowen's spokeswoman said 43 per cent of these cooks were from India. Students from India were prominent in the 2004-08 boom in cookery courses.
Visas under a sponsorship scheme aimed at recruiting staff for employers in regional areas, including the city of Perth, grew 48 per cent in 2011-12.
This was likely to include Indian cookery graduates, according to Sydney migration and education agent Jonathan Granger.
"People stuck in that backlog (for independent skilled migration) have . . . sought other (visa) alternatives," he said.
In stark contrast to cooks, the number of accountants taken in as permanent migrants in 2011-12 fell by half to 6914.
Mr Granger said this probably reflected the emphasis on higher levels of English proficiency in the new skilled migration system.
Professor Hawthorne said skilled migration, dominated not long ago by ex-students in the independent visa category, had been "privatised" with the new emphasis on employer sponsorship.
And the permanent migration figures gave "only half the labour migration picture" because of today's government preference for temporary workers.
"Last year, Australia admitted an additional 131,000 people in the 457 (visa) temporary worker category, compared to around 34,000 temporary sponsored migrants seven years back," she said.
"Temporary migration is now dominant in select fields - (it is) the pathway, for instance, of four-fifths of recent medical migrants."
Migration of Indians Abroad
Deepak Saxena & P. Banerjee
A large number of Indians have settled abroad. Table 1 below
gives estimated number of Indian community in various countries
where the number is more then 100,000. Nature of the
occupations of Indians in these countries varies, but it is a firm
belief of the authors that most of the Indians in western countries
are highly skilled workforce.
Table 1: Estimated Number of Indians in Various Countries (December 2001)
Country Estimated Number of
Indians
Australia 190,000
Bahrain 130,000
Canada 851,000
Fiji 336,829
Guyana 395,350
Kenya 102,500
Kuwait 295,000
Malaysia 1,665,000
Mauritius 715,756
Myanmar 2,902,000
Netherlands 217,000
Oman 312,000
Qatar 131,000
Reunion Islands 220,055
Saudi Arabia 1,500,000
Singapore 307,000
South Africa 1,000,000
Suriname 150,456
Trinidad and Tobago 500,600
UAE 950,000
UK 1,200,000
USA 1,678,765
Yemen 100,900
Source: Report of The High Level Committee on Indian Diaspora, Ministry of Overseas Indian
Affairs,http://moia.gov.in/shared/linkimages/31.pdf, accessed on Feb 25th 2009.
Immigration to USA
The Table 2 below shows the number of Indian immigrants legally
admitted in US by their class of admissions (see Appendix for
Australian immigration definitions). Fig 1 shows it graphically.
Table 2: Immigrants Legally Admitted in US by Selected Class of
Admission from India (By Birth).
NA – Not Available
Source: Yearbook of respective years, Office of Immigration Statistics, USA
Fig 1: Immigrants Legally Admitted in US by Selected Class of Admission from
India (By Birth)
Source: Yearbook of respective years, Office of Immigration Statistics, USA
As the figure suggests, the largest chunk of Indians settled in the
US were granted immigration in the category ‘employment based
preferences’ and at times they were more than half of total
settlements (as in 2005). Table 3 shows the details of Indian
persons naturalized in US according to their major occupation
groups till 2002 (the yearbook of immigration statistics does not
give this data for subsequent years). If we look at the computer
related category for 2002, it is the largest one, around 75% of the
total naturalizations. This supports the view that most Indians in
western countries are associated with jobs which require high
(technical) skills.
Table 3: Indian Persons Naturalized in US by Major Occupation Group
* Includes homemakers, students, unemployed or retired persons, and others
not reporting or with an unknown occupation.
Source: Yearbook of respective years, Office of Immigration Statistics, USA
On the other hand if Indian workers temporarily migrating to the US are
considered, their numbers range from more than double those of permanent
settlements (as in 1998) to five times as many (2007). Table 4 shows the
numbers of Indian workers temporarily migrated to US along with their class of
admission. Fig 2 shows it graphically. In the figure, ‘Others’ also include nurses,
agriculture workers, industrial trainees and exchange visitors.
Table 4: Non-Immigrants Temporary Worker Admissions from India in US
# Data withheld to limit disclosure
Source: Yearbook of respective years, Office of Immigration Statistics, USA
Fig 2: Indian migrants as Temporary Workers in US
Source: Yearbook of respective years, Office of Immigration Statistics, USA
Table 5: Non-Immigrants Indian Students admitted in US
Year No. of Students
1998 25,543
1999 28,335
2000 39,795
2001 48,809
2002 48,708
2003 50,884
2004 51,191
2005 61,146*
2006 69,790*
2007 88,918*
~ I-94 Only
* Includes dependents of students and exchange visitors as well
Source: Yearbook of respective years, Office of Immigration Statistics, USA
As can be seen in Fig 2, specialty groups and intra-company
transferees form the major part of the flow. It shows that Indian
workers, who migrate to US, are mainly some type of specialists.
Table 5 shows the number of non-immigrants Indian students
admitted in US. Fig 3 shows various categories of Indians
admitted in US, of which, we can see that largest part is formed
by temporary workers.
Fig 3: Various Categories of Indians Admitted in US
Source: Yearbook of respective years, Office of Immigration Statistics, USA
Immigration to Australia
Another country where large numbers of Indians migrate is Australia. Table 6
shows the arrival and stock of temporary residents (see Appendix for Australian
immigration definitions) and students in Australia.
Table 6: Temporary Residents (Stock) Present in Australia on 30th June and
31st Dec of Corresponding Year*
Year Temporary Residents Students
Arrival Stock on Stock Arrival Stock on Stock
30th June on
31st Dec
30th June on
31st Dec
2003-
04
7,333 4,158 4,342 12,463 6,218 8,144
2004-
05
9,311 5,446 7,544 15,876 10,983 13,652
2005-
06
12,679 5,947 5,989 22,113 17,034 19,447
2006-
07
16,837 7,385 8,092 36,209 23,399 27,412
2007-
08
20,879 8,722 12,726 49,865 38,734 45,312
2008 - 11,378 - 63,169 - -
* Arrived less than ten years before reference quarter
Source: Immigration Update reports of respective years, Department of Immigration and
Citizenship, Australian Government
Fig 4 shows the arrivals and stock graphically. Here, it can be
seen that in case for Australia, more students are immigrating as
compared to temporary residents.
Fig 4: Temporary Residents and Students Immigration from India in Australia
Source: Immigration Update reports of respective years, Department of Immigration and
Citizenship, Australian Government
Immigration to Canada
Canada is another country which hosts large number of Indians.
Table 7 shows the entry and stock of Indian workers and students
as temporary residents in Canada. Fig 5 shows it graphically.
Table 7: Indian Workers and Students as Temporary Residents in Canada
Year Temporary Residents Students
Arrival Stock on
30th June
Stock
on
Arrival Stock on
30th June
Stock
on
31st Dec 31st Dec
2003-
04
7,333 4,158 4,342 12,463 6,218 8,144
2004-
05
9,311 5,446 7,544 15,876 10,983 13,652
2005-
06
12,679 5,947 5,989 22,113 17,034 19,447
2006-
07
16,837 7,385 8,092 36,209 23,399 27,412
2007-
08
20,879 8,722 12,726 49,865 38,734 45,312
2008 - 11,378 - 63,169 - -
Source: Immigration Overview 2007, Citizenship and Immigration
Canada,http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/statistics/index.asp, accessed on March 16th, 2009
Fig 5: Temporary Workers and Students in Canada from India
Source: Immigration Overview 2007, Citizenship and Immigration
Canada,http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/statistics/index.asp, accessed on March 16th, 2009
Comparison of Migration in USA, Australia and Canada
Figure 6 shows the comparison of Migration of Indian Temporary
Workers and Students to USA, Australia and Canada.
Fig 6: Comparison of Migration of Indian Temporary Workers and Students in
USA, Australia and Canada
Source: Immigration reports of respective countries
The number of students going to these countries were compared
with the estimated out-turn of graduate students in S&T areas
(refer section on ‘Stock of Indian S&T manpower’). Table 8 and Fig
7 show this comparison.
Table 8: Out-turn and Migration of Indian Students
YearStudents Migrated (US,
Aus, Canada)
Estimated Indian S&T
Graduate Out-turn
Migration Out-turn
Ratio (%)
199
8
26,045 11,24,829 2.315463
199
9
29,065 11,87,622 2.447328
200
0
40,709 12,81,830 3.175851
200
1
50,097 13,61,641 3.679162
200
2
50,844 14,27,423 3.561943
200
3
65,840 15,42,549 4.268261
200
4
68,890 16,73,519 4.116475
200
5
85,515 17,67,969 4.836907
200
6
1,08,745 18,17,296 5.983892
200
7
1,41,475 19,21,230 7.363771
Source: (i) Immigration reports of respective countries
(ii) Section on ‘Stock of Indian S&T Manpower
Fig 7: Out-turn and Migration for Indian Students
Source: (i) Immigration reports of respective countries
(ii) Section on ‘Stock of Indian S&T Manpower’
It can be observed that percentage of students going to these
countries for higher studies has increased over the years.
Appendix – Definitions of Immigration Terms for USA,
Australia and Canada
U.S.A. Immigration Important Definitions (Taken from
Glossary of U.S. Immigration Definitions, http://www.usafis.org/us-
immigration/glossary-definitions.asp/, Accessed on March 16th,
2009)
Alien: Any person who is not a United States citizen. In other
words, a non-citizen. Permanent residents are also aliens (they
are, however, considered legal aliens).
Admission: Admission is defined as legal entry into the United
States of America as approved by a U.S. Customs and Border
Protection Officer (CBP).
Immigrant Visa: A visa intended for a person who wishes to
permanently stay in the United States. In order to receive an
immigrant visa a person needs to meet certain requirements,
usually in the area of family ties or employment.
I-94: At the port of entry, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Officer (CBP) issues a Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Card) stating
both the legal status and the duration for which you are permitted
to remain in the United States.
Intra-Company Transferee Visa (L-1): The L-1 Visa is intended to
allow multi-national corporations the opportunity to transfer
managers and experts to the United States on a temporary basis.
Naturalization: The process through which an alien (non-citizen),
becomes a U.S. citizen.
Nonimmigrant Visa: A visa intended for people wishing to enter
the United States for a temporary period of time. Nonimmigrant
visa categories include tourists, businessmen, workers, students,
etc.
Specialty Occupation Visa (H-1B): H-1B visas are intended for
persons in a specialty occupation, which requires the theoretical
and practical application of knowledge obtained with the
completion of a specific course of higher education.
Temporary Worker: A temporary worker is a nonimmigrant
employee legally permitted to work in the United States for a
limited period under certain classifications.
Workers with Extraordinary Ability/ Achievements: (Taken
from http://www.uscis.gov/propub/ ProPubVAP.jsp?
dockey=d2cb859ca452fa8d31790b9194e6864d/, US Citizenship
and Immigration Services, accessed on March 19, 2009)
(A) An O-1 classification applies to:
An individual alien who has extraordinary ability in the
sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics which has
been demonstrated by sustained national or international
acclaim and who is coming temporarily to the United States
to continue work in the area of extraordinary ability; or
An alien who has a demonstrated record of extraordinary
achievement in motion picture and/or television productions
and who is coming temporarily to the United States to
continue work in the area of extraordinary achievement.
(B) An O-2 classification applies to an accompanying alien who is
coming temporarily to the United States solely to assist in the
artistic or athletic performance by an O-1. The O-2 alien must:
Be an integral part of the actual performances or events and
possess critical skills and experience with the O-1 alien that
are not of a general nature and which are not possessed by
others; or
In the case of a motion picture or television production, have
skills and experience with the O-1 alien which are not of a
general nature and which are critical, either based on a pre-
existing and longstanding working relationship or, if in
connection with a specific production only, because
significant production (including pre- and post-production)
will take place both inside and outside the United States and
the continuing participation of the alien is essential to the
successful completion of the production.
Australian Immigration Definitions (Taken
from http://www.immi.gov.au/media/statistics/
glossary/ , accessed on March 17th, 2009)
Australia allows three types of temporary entries. The three main
categories of Temporary Entry are:
Students: Non-permanent entrants to Australia whose visa is for
a specific period and for the purpose of undertaking formal or
non-formal study.
Temporary Residents: These include working holiday makers,
long term temporary business entrants and other persons
intending to work or temporarily reside in Australia. These types
of temporary resident visas are granted on the basis of there
being an economic, social, cultural or sporting benefit to Australia.
Initial stay in Australia is generally for more than 3 months but
not more than 4 years.
Visitors: Non-permanent entrants to Australia whose visa is for
tourism, short stay business, visiting relatives or medical
treatment.
Canada Immigration Definitions(Taken from Immigration
Overview 2007, Citizenship and Immigration Canada)
Canada defines four mutually exclusive groups of temporary
residents: foreign workers, foreign students, individuals in the
humanitarian population and other temporary residents.
Temporary residents are regrouped according to our
determination of their “yearly status”—the main reason for which
they have been authorized to enter and stay temporarily in
Canada during each year of observation.
Foreign workers are those other than Canadian citizens or
permanent residents, who enter Canada solely or primarily for
work and have obtained a work permit from CIC to legally perform
such activities. A temporary resident is reported as foreign worker
if his or her main reason for staying in the country relates to
employment whether or not this person is also holder of other
permits (e.g. a study permit).
Similarly, foreign students are in Canada primarily to study,
although they too may have other permits.
Individuals in the humanitarian population are primarily refugee
claimants, but this group also includes other foreign nationals
allowed to remain in Canada on humanitarian or compassionate
grounds under “special considerations." These other humanitarian
cases include a small number of individuals who have never filed
a refugee claim but who were processed under special programs
established to handle refugee-like cases.
The fourth group — other temporary resident — is comprised of
individuals who do not fit into any of the other categories. This
group is not profiled in this publication.
Entries for temporary residents are defined as follows: those
arriving for the first time as temporary residents (“Initial Entries”)
as distinct from those who are deemed to have left the country
and subsequently returned in a different year (“Re-entries”)
whether in the same or a different category of temporary
resident.
Reasons for migration
Go to page «Why people migrate»Never before have there been so many people living far away from their native countries. Poor living conditions, violence and armed conflicts, environmental problems, a lack of economic perspectives and the growing gap between rich and poor countries: all these factors play their part. Global mobility and the new media likewise have a great influence on current migration trends.
Poor living conditionsPopulation grows, economic development stagnatesViolence and the abuse of power force to fleeRich industrialized states are becoming more accessibleSince man has been on earth, ethnic groups have again and again travelled to other regions in the world hoping to find a better basis for existence there. In recent centuries wars have repeatedly triggered mass displacements of refugees. In recent decades global migration has reached a hitherto unknown level. Surveys conducted by international organizations have concluded that currently over 175 million people are living far away from their native countries. 19,2 million people are considered to be "refugees" or "displaced persons".
Poor living conditions generate the urge to migrateThe term ‘migrant’ denotes a person living outside his or her native country. Many leave their homes because there are not enough fertile pastures and arable land, food, water, work or other fundamental requirements. The consequences of environmental catastrophes, such as drought or floods, can also force thousands to leave their native countries. Today roughly two thirds of the world’s population live in economically poor countries. The growing gap between rich and poor is the most significant driving force for global migration. In 1960 the income of the richest fifth of the world’s population was on average 30 times higher than the poorest fifth. By the year 1990 it was already 60 times higher.
The population grows while economic development stagnatesThe enormous rate of population growth and the poor perspectives for economic development in some regions give rise to a tremendous migratory pressure. Third World and former Soviet Union countries lack capital and know-how. In some countries, debts absorb a major part of the economic power. Falling raw material prices as well as the customs barriers and import restrictions imposed by the industrialized countries prevent the development of viable export industries. Unstable economic policy, a lack of legal stability and widespread corruption discourage investors and concerns from locating their long-term industrial projects in such countries.
Voilence and the abuse of power force people to fleeThe term ‘refugee’ is used to describe people who are persecuted on account of their race, religion, ethnic group or political conviction. Persons whose freedom or lives are threatened in this sense have a right to protection by foreign countries on the basis of international conventions. ‘Displaced persons’ are not fleeing from individual persecution but from escalating violence threatening large parts of the population in a certain region or country. Those affected by such conflicts mostly flee in large numbers to safe regions in their native land or in a neighbouring country. In order to prevent unrest, hunger, disease and other problems, they are frequently accommodated in refugee camps. The reception and care of large influxes of refugees severely undermine the resources of the states concerned. Refugee camps with tens of thousands of strangers often arouse feelings of insecurity in the host country’s population. This can lead to political instability in the country concerned, provoking new conflicts. In such situations, nations living at peace and in stable economic conditions are called upon to show their solidarity and share the burden (e.g. with measures such as the temporary admission of displaced persons, peace missions, material and reconstruction aid).
The rich industrialized states are becoming more accessibleTourism, television and the Internet all enhance the attractiveness of migration. They make the poorest aware of the wealth of the rich. The growth of air travel facilitates journeys to far-away industrialized countries. So far only a fraction of those willing to consider migration have actually been able to travel to their preferred destination on other continents. But this could soon change since successful emigrants transfer a considerable share of their income to their relatives at home. As a result, more and more people can afford to travel to distant countries. Asylum seekers prefer countries where many of their fellow-countrymen already live. In simple terms this means: Migration begets further migration.
Data extracted on 28 Feb 2013 04:48 UTC (GMT) from OECD.Stat
Effect on Country of Origin
It is important to consider in our exploration of human migration the ends served by modern human movement around the world. Just as the decision to migrate involves a cost-benefit analysis for the individual migrant, the
experiences of the countries involved can similarly be captured as a calculation of risk to reward. There are three parties involved in every act of international migration – the migrant himself, his country of origin and his country of destination. Each of these parties has its own distinct and often conflicting interests in the process. What is
good for the migrant may not be good for his home or host country; the home and host countries gain and lose in different ways.
Is migration good for the migrant’s country of origin? The answer lies in an analysis of who the migrant is, where
Variable
Gender
Year2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Country
United States 703.542 957.883 1 122.373 1 266.264 1 052.415 1 107.126 1 130.818 1 042.625
Migration can serve an important safety valve function for a “sending” country:
Relieving a country of some of its inhabitants can reduce the pressure on resources – from land to water to food -- particularly in densely populated and impoverished regions.
If significant ethnic and civil strife are present, migration of certain interest groups in society can also serve as a safety valve. Exiling of dissidents serves the same function.
Migration of certain demographic groups in society can relieve pressure on labor markets and ease intergenerational tensions. Countries with large youth/working age populations experience downward pressure on wages, especially among unskilled laborers, if labor supply significantly exceeds demand.
Unemployed youth populations are politically destabilizing as well, and their migration is often welcomed by their home countries.
Remittances
Migrants perhaps benefit their home countries most when they send home a portion of their wages to family and friends, or make investments in their countries of origin. By some estimates, remittances comprise double the
amount of foreign aid that LDCs receive and up to 30% of some poor countries’ total GDP. Remittances that are made through formal banking channels from migrants in MDCs back to LDCs have by some estimates quadrupled over the last two decades, from $60 billion in 1990 to $240 billion in 2007. Other estimates put the current figure closer to $318 billion or nearly 1 billion dollars per day. Millions more in remittances are made through informal
channels.
Immigrants living in the US send the most money back home, with $42 billion leaving the country in 2006, $25 billion of it going to Mexico (formal banking channels only).
Remittances can be so significant that origin countries encourage migration. The Times of India reports that 20 million Indians working and living abroad have made India the largest single recipient of
remittance flows; India receives $27 billion remitted from various countries, which comprises one-tenth of total global remittances. As a result, the government has been accused of “pandering” to the growing
diaspora by helping to support migrants living abroad with “welfare funds” to purchase health insurance in countries where coverage is compulsory.
Ironically, the poorer the migrant, the more likely he is to send remittances. The majority of remittances to LDCs come in small increments from unskilled laborers.
Remittances are less volatile than foreign aid or investment and tend to actually increase during times of global economic hardship.
The net effect of remittances is complicated. Relying on these cash flows can discourage governments from making needed economic investments and reforms to boost development. Moreover, the lucrative
nature of remittances serves as a “reward” or “incentive” for out-migration when what developing countries often need is to keep their most industrious workers home to grow the home economy.
Remittances can drive up inflation rates in developing economies, leaving those without a remittance source facing higher prices for everyday goods.
Remittances are generally encouraged by both the countries of origin and destination. Destination countries benefit from fees on banking transactions incurred in sending the money home. It has also
been shown that remittances nurture ties between immigrants and their home communities that serve as a “safety net.” When immigrants fall on hard times in their host countries, they are often able to depend
on relatives and connections back home instead of becoming reliant on public welfare.
Diasporas
When large immigrant communities form in wealthy and influential nations, they form a powerful diaspora which can advocate for the interests of their countries of origin (usually an LDC) in the host country and in the
international community.
Benefits negotiated by and made possible through this diaspora can include investment, aid, preferential trade policies and even political pressure for reform in the home country. For instance, the Chinese diaspora in the West has spearheaded business deals and agitated for Communist Party reforms in
China.
When migration is temporary or circular, or when migrants maintain close ties to their home countries, valuable exchanges of ideas are facilitated and the country of origin benefits from the immigrant’s
experiences in a more modernized society.
Costs
Brain Drain
The primary cost associated with migration for the country of origin is
the “brain drain,” or the loss of some of its brightest citizens.
When migrants are skilled and/or highly educated,
the sending country experiences not only the
loss of that worker and his contribution to society, but also the investment made
in his education or training, and the potential
for him to mentor and teach others.
Considering that making an international move
requires some financial solvency and
entrepreneurship from anyone, even unskilled
workers who migrate are a loss to their country of
origin.
The effect of “brain drain” is acute in many developing nations where doctors and nurses are in short supply locally because they have been so heavily recruited to make up for shortfalls in developed
countries such as the United States.
PBS Frontline World’s Barnaby Lo has reported that the US is expected to have a deficit of 800,000 to one million trained nurses by the year 2020, and the American government actively recruits medical
personnel all over the world with special visas. Lo goes on to note that the nursing shortfall is so extreme, and the recruitment so lucrative, that many trained engineers, teachers and even doctors in
places like the Philippines, India and South Africa are abandoning their careers to enter nursing school with an eye toward emigration. In the Philippines alone, a study by the country’s former Secretary of
Health found that “80% of all government doctors have become nurses or are in nursing schools. There are roughly 9000 doctors-turned-nurses and 5000 of all these medical practitioners are now working
abroad.” The public health and economic effects of this trend are potentially devastating to developing countries.
Not only are financial successes and talents transferred to the recipient country, but potentially valuable political assets as well. Most migrants are from poor countries, which often have poor governance as
both a cause and symptom of their impoverishment. When the best and brightest leave, they take potential reformist energy and acumen with them.
The Negative Impact of Diasporas
Just as immigrants in host countries can act in ways that benefit their countries of origin, they can also act in ways that are destabilizing. Pressure from migrants, exiles and expatriates exerted on incumbent leaders who are resistant to reform often backfires. This can lead to repression and/or retaliation toward
citizens back home.
Many civil conflicts are initiated and/or exacerbated by the advocacy and fundraising of emigrants with particular interests. For example, the fragile situation in post-genocide Rwanda is thought to be
imperiled by the opposing activities of Hutu and Tutsi exiles abroad.
Interstate conflicts can be aggravated by their opposing champion diasporas living abroad as well. An example is the influence of Chinese and Taiwanese diasporas in the US during moments of tension in
the Taiwan Strait. Similarly, foreign nationals who participate in terrorist acts in their host countries strain relations between those nations and their countries of origin, and can discredit their home countries.
The Balance Sheet
Whether a migrant’s decision to relocate hurts or helps his country of origin is highly subjective and situational. Countries of origin usually have little say over the matter, unlike the migrant (if he is acting voluntarily) or the
recipient country (to the extent that it can enforce its legal restrictions on immigration). Rarely, and only in highly repressive regimes, are people prevented from voluntarily leaving their country. The country of origin is thus
largely a passive actor in the migration equation.
Some LDCs have experimented with tying financial assistance for in-country education to promises by students to stay at home for a period of years after graduation; others have tied financial grants to study abroad with promises of return. These measures are difficult to enforce and have met with limited success. Sadly, some experts have
noted that one possible recourse would be for LDCs to offer subsidies and grants for only K-12 education in-country so that when talent flees, the investment in more expensive higher education doesn’t go with it.
Ref: http://worldsavvy.org
Advantages and Disadvantages of Migration of Skilled Indians to Abroad (Brain Drain)by V.A.Ponmelil (All rights reserved by the author) (Feedback)
The migration of skilled individuals to other nations is referred as the brain drain or the human capital
flight. This migration of talented individuals may be due to conflicts, lack of opportunity, or health
