Does Brain Drains Argument Relevant or Irrelevant Nowadays? International Migration Impacts on Country of Origins, Country of Destinations, and Migrants in Perspective
Abstract
The paper explores brain drain arguments whether it is relevant or irrelevant nowadays to international migration stakeholders: country of origin (COO), country of destination (COD), and migrants. Brain drain (professionals leaving COO to COD), debate was relevant during the twentieth century due to process of international migration. Is brain drain still relevant or irrelevant nowadays? Grounded in a case study of ‘Japa’ syndrome from Nigeria, brain drain is explored in real life situations. After conducting a meta-study of the relevant qualitative information on international migration, the findings reveal that COOs receive taxes from remittances, unemployment rate declines, migrants return with skills, and make investments in businesses and the local economy. The CODs benefit from cheap labour, expands the economy, migrants spur host economy, and contributes to gross domestic products (GDP). Some migrants ‘up-skilled’, earn high remunerations, improve their living standards and families. I argue that unlike in the olden days where brain drain debates favoured the CODs, nowadays there are initiatives and programs such as homecoming (‘Year of Return’, ‘Beyond of Return’), dual citizenship, and technology improvement that connect professional migrants, which enables them to contribute their quota to COOs and CODs. Most migrants’ own allegiance, establish bond between COOs and CODs; they serve as business negotiators, and lure investors where they are needed; which improves economy growth and development for COOs and CODs. Overall, the findings reveal that all stakeholders enjoy triple-win from the international migration proceeds. Therefore, the paper recommends coordinated efforts to manage and collaborate to improve the international migration ‘gains’, instead of Unitarianism approach; to harness international migration benefits for better living standards for the world population.
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