What is Brain-Drain?

Brain-Drain is actually the loss of

skilled intellectual and technical labor through the
movement of such labor to more favorable geographic,
economic, or professional environments.
Countries like Pakistan, Russia and India are facing
problems of brain-drain.

Unemployment and underemployment
Population explosion (baby boom)
Political instability
Deteriorating law and order situation
Lack of facilities (education, health and other necessities
of life)
Inflation
are main reasons for migration of skilled workers from
Asia. In countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh etc
graduates, post graduates, experienced and skilled
professionals are not getting enough opportunities to
develop and succeed. So with dreams of development
these professionals leave their native country in search of
better future. This brain-drain is a great loss to the
developing countries.
A highly skilled workforce is the key to the development of
a knowledge economy. Countries that have invested
massively in their human resources have been able to
establish high-technology industries with the resulting
stupendous impact on their respective economies. The
quality of higher education, availability of world class R&D
(Research and Development) centers and an environment
in which innovation and entrepreneurship can flourish are
essential to wealth generation and poverty alleviation.
Pakistan has since its creation never really invested in the
field of R&D centers and this now has become the need of
time. Most of Pakistani students going abroad for higher,
or specialized, education every year, very often never
return to their homeland. Though Pakistan has a number
of institutions for higher education, various students prefer
going abroad. Many experience a good lifestyle and then
prefer settling there which in the long run has damaged
Pakistan in growing economically as well as socially.
Other reasons that contribute to brain-drain in Pakistan
are
1. Economics reasons
In addition to several legitimate political reasons including
peace and security for himself and his family, another
reason is economic; such as job satisfaction, academically
progressive environment, better pay and service
conditions.
2. Lack of financial and academic reasons
The lust for better life and higher education is a strong
reason behind the brain-drain from Pakistan. There is no
doubt that more and better opportunities in the US and UK
are one of the attractions to moving there. No good
institution for research and doctorate level and post
doctorate level is available in Pakistan.
3. Role of political will in the prevention of brain drain
The political instability let the people leave the motherland
for a better future with some prediction. There is a dire
need to assure the manpower to remain present in
Pakistan. A diplomatic solution should be given a priority
to resolve conflicts rather than going to let the people do
what they want.
4. Lack of higher education Institutes
Science and technology is an area that is not fully
exploited by the Pakistan resources. A less budget sliced
away for education is the reason in leaking the higher
studies which trigger the brain-drain.

This is just the tip of the iceberg and a lot more
reasons are there. For the balance of power and for the
staggered development of the world, it is very important to
stop the phenomenon of brain-drain. This will help a
particular country to use all local skilled citizens for
development and proliferation. But to hold these skilled
workers at Pakistan, it is also important to provide them
enough work opportunities and living facilities. For this
purpose the government of Pakistan believes that
developed nations should help developing countries with
necessary money and resources but this is not all right!
Government should draft policies which ensure a better
future to every individual and improve the living standard
of people. The government should try to rectify problems
mentioned above with good policies so that each and
every human of this planet can have good standard of
living and each and every nation can introduce itself as a
developed nation.

Brain drain presents one of the major problems of
Pakistan. Brain drain refers to loss of intellectually and
technically skilled labor. This loss is due to movement of
labor to more economically and geographically feasible
environments. These environments are mostly stable
nations and guarantee higher living standards. The loss of
qualified scientists, doctors, engineers etc. leads to chaos
in the economic progress of the country. Mostly this
migration is from developing countries to highly developed
countries.

According to a UNESCO report, the skilled migration level
of Pakistan increased by 50% from 1990 to 2000. Mostly,
skilled personnel of Pakistan migrate to United States,
United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada. This migration
points to failure of the government to provide enough
incentives to the intellectual manpower.

Unemployment, terrorism, political instability and inflation
are the main reasons of brain drain in Pakistan.
Professionals are forced to leave country when they do
not get enough opportunities to practice their skills. Many
institutions prefer foreign professionals and experts. This
is a factor that motivates people to seek admission in
foreign institutes and become qualified foreign
professionals. Some students go to foreign universities
and do not think of returning back if they get satisfying job
afterwards. People also require peace and safety in the
environment in order to flourish fully.

Agha Khan Medical University conducted a study in order
to investigate reasons of brain drain among medical
professionals in Pakistan. It was found that most doctors
migrate because of poor salary packages in Pakistan,
besides poor quality of work environment and training.
However, terrorism, economic crisis, and low promotion
chances were also rated high by most doctors.

There are also some factors in the foreign countries that
attract professionals and thus they are forced to move.
These include high salary packages, improved living
standards, appreciation of talent, and access to basic
luxuries of life, stable political conditions, and more rights
to exercise their will.

It is really important to stop brain drain, as it will lead to
use local rather than foreign skills for the development of
the country. Holding the skilled labor and ensuring them
better work opportunities and increased living standards
will contribute to the development of the country. Although
some recent national international efforts have been taken
to prevent brain drain, this issue requires special attention
from the government of Pakistan.

Professionals must be asked to return to their homeland
and serve it. The government must offer them
compensations that match their skills and abilities.