Brain Drain

Download as pdf or txt
Download as pdf or txt
You are on page 1of 3

Explanation of the components of the title: 1. Brain (n): a.

the portion of the head which is the primary center for the regulation and control of bodily activities, receiving and interpreting sensory impulses, and transmitting information to the muscles and body organs. It is also the seat of consciousness, thought, memory, and emotion. b. Intellectual ability; mind: a dull brain; a quick brain. c. Intellectual power; intelligence. Often used in the plural: "he has brains and good looks." d. A highly intelligent person. Hes such a brain" 2. Drain (v): a. to make sth empty or dry by removing all the liquid from it. b. to make sb/ sth weaker, poorer, etc by using up their/its strength, money, etc 3. Brain drain or human capital flight is an emigration of trained and talented individuals (human capital) to other nations or jurisdictions, due to conflicts, lack of opportunity, health hazards where they are living, discrimination or other reasons. Generally, brain drain occurs because of two types of causes: push factors and pull factors. The former (push factors) mean the negative factors in the home country that push skilled and educated people to leave their own country; whereas the latter (pull factors) mean the positive factors that attract skilled and educated people to another country. Examples: Push factors Low salaries Social unrest Political conflicts and wars Bad working and living conditions Discrimination, etc Pull factors Higher wages Intellectual freedom Political and social stability Good research facilities and incentives More sophisticated facilities, etc Glossary related to the unit of Brain Drain 1. Emigration (from to): The process of leaving a country permanently and going to live in another one. 2. Immigration (to from): the process of coming to live permanently in a country that is not your own. 3. Migration: the movement of large numbers of people, birds or animals from one place to another. 4. Human capital: Another terminology for brain drain. It is a parallel of capital flight which refers to the same movement of financial capital

5. Brain gain: it occurs when there is a large-scale immigration (as opposed to emigration) of technically qualified persons. We can talk of highly skilled people coming to Canada as brain gain as opposed to brain drain which refers to the act of leaving their home country. 6. Brain exchange: When the highly skilled people leave a country they are replaced by others coming from other countries. This exchange usually happens between developed countries. 7. Brainless: Stupid. "A brainless idiot." 8. Brainy: Clever. "She's a brainy child." 9. Highly skilled: Highly skilled, technically qualified persons. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14.

Brain training: Preparing highly skilled people needed for a countrys development. Departure: the act of living a place. Exodus: a situation in which many people leave a place at the same time. Diaspora: the movement of people from any nation or group away from their own country. Exile: the state of being sent to live in another country that is not your own, especially for political reasons
or as a punishment.

15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25.

Income: revenue Remittances: money sent by immigrants to their families in their homeland. Skilled: having special skill and ability or training. Unskilled: not having special skill or training Flee: escape; run away Reverse: change to opposite direction. Tempting: highly attractive Undeveloped: not developed Gain: acquire or obtain sth that is needed or wanted. Scholar: a person who has the ability to perform a task expertly or well. Developing country: A poor or non industrial country that is seeking to develop its resources by
industrialization.

26.

Developed country: A country advanced in industrial capability, technological sophistication, and


economic productivity.

Collocations related to the unit of Brain Drain: 1. Racial discrimination 2. Brain gain 3. Skilled workers 4. Low pay, wages or salaries 5. Higher income or wages 6. Political instability 7. Political stability 8. Political conflicts 9. Social unrest 10. 11. 12. Living conditions Working conditions Technical assistance

13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18.

Money transfers Rapid rate Job opportunities Developed countries Host countries Higher education

19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24.

Human resources Bridge the gap Earn a living Fulfill a dream Squander money Feel homesick

Negative effects of brain drain


Brain drain has negative impact on the sending countries economic prospects and competitiveness. It increases dependence on foreign technical assistance, slows the transfer of technology and widens the gap between African and industrialized countries It reduces the number of dynamic and creative people who can contribute to the development of their country. Likewise, with more entrepreneurs taking their investments abroad, developing countries are missing an opportunity of wealth creation. It has also negative consequences on tax revenue and employment. Brain drain involves the loss of human capital i.e. skilled labour force that are vital to the development of society and the country as a whole. It costs the countries of origin billions of dollars a year to replace them with expatriates from the West. Emigration of these skilled workers is essentially providing personal benefits for individuals rather than public benefits. Another consequence of the brain drain is the existence of social marginalisation which occurs due to several reasons. For example, highly skilled labourers have been villainised by society because they may be perceived as a disruption to existing society.

Positive effects of brain drain


When the migrant workers return home as part of the circular pattern, they may bring with them new skills and knowledge. Remittances are a positive effect of the brain drain because they increase living standards in society. Those who leave have been unemployed or underemployed at home, so their departure may not actually result in a huge loss to the sending country. The prospect of being able to emigrate may increase incentives to acquire education and skills and induce additional investment in education.

You might also like