BRAIN DRAIN FROM PAKISTAN

HIRA NOOR
ZOHA NAEEM
SAMEER AHAD HAQ
 CONTENTS
• What is Brain Drain
• History of brain drain
• Reasons for brain drain
• Brain drain in Pakistan
• Reasons of brain drain from Pakistan
• Effects of brain drain
Positive effects
Negative effects
• Measures to stop brain drain
• Conclusion
 WHAT IS BRAIN DRAIN?
• The loss of skilled, intellectual and technical labour through
their movement to more favourable geographic, economic, or
professional environments.

• It can be simply defined as the mass emigration of technically

skilled people from one country to another country.

• Brain-drain is also termed as “human capital flight” because it

resembles the case of capital flight.
 HISTORY OF BRAIN
DRAIN
• The term originated about 1960.

• In 1960, many British scientists

and intellectuals emigrated to the Neil Bohr

United States for a better working

climate.

• Its meaning has broadened into:

the departure of educated or
professional people from one
country. Albert Einstein
 WHY BRAIN DRAINS?

• Lack of better opportunity

• Political instability
• Health risks
• Personal conflicts
• Poor Conditions of Service
• Disregard for Local Talent
• Economic under development.
 WHY BRAIN DRAINS?

• Lack of research and other facilities

• Lack of freedom
• Poor working facilities
• Unsuitable institution.
• Desire for a better urban life
• Desire for higher qualification and recognition

• Lack of satisfactory working conditions.

 BRAIN DRAIN FROM
PAKISTAN

• Started in 70’s after economic market reforms.

• Pakistan and Philippines are the main countries of the origin of brain
drain. (UNESCO)

• Nearly six million have left the country for good.

• Even unskilled people are trying to leave.

• Frustrated villagers use illegal tracks to go abroad.

BRAIN DRAIN FROM PAKISTAN

• According to Pakistan's Overseas Employment Corporation,

close to 36,000 professionals (reg.) have migrated to other
countries in the last 30 years.

• This number in recent years had increased to around 45,000.

• 85,668 students have moved from Pakistan for their studies.

(OECD)

• This estimate makes Pakistan the 4th most effected country by

brain drain.
 REASONS FOR BRAIN
DRAIN

• Europe as “GREEN PASTURES” for doctors

• Lack of variety in specializations
• Disregard for local degrees
• Lack of job opportunities
• Merit systems
• Lack of infrastructure
• High corporate tax rate
 REASONS FOR BRAIN
DRAIN
• Lack of scientific tradition and culture

• Over production and under utilization of HQM.

• Discrimination in appointment and promotion.

• Lack of research and other facilities

• Income inequalities

• Ten times more earning than home country.

 POSITIVE EFFECTS
• Receiving of millions of dollars in shape of remittance
sent back to Pakistan every year.

• Creating space for freshmen here.

• Population decrease.

• People bring technology, skills and new ideas from

abroad.

• Higher rate of people starting capital intensive enterprises.

 POSITIVE EFFECTS
• Money remittance has reduced the severity of
poverty to some extent.

• Money sent are invested in education, housing

and health.

• Improved quality of education by insuring

international standards and training.

• Improved competitiveness in home country as

international degrees are held in higher esteem.
 NEGATIVE EFFECTS
• The loss of high quality manpower.

• Huge loss of foreign exchange due to

hiring of foreign experts.

• Government spends billions of rupees

for education of experts.

• Rampant corruption, poor

administrations, lack of motivation
and fast diminishing nationalism.
• Loss of Health Services.
 MEASURES TAKEN

• National Research Program for Universities

(NRPU)
• TTU performance based pay system by HEC

• Foreign faculty members of Pakistani origin are

encouraged to come and transfer their expertise

• Transfer of knowledge through expatriate

nationals (TOKTEN) (UNDP)
• Initiative for 11 foreign universities
 MEASURES TO STOP BRAIN
DRAIN
• Delaying emigration
For example :
Doctors may be asked to stay on for some years.

• Tax proposals
For example :

Native professionals pay a percent of income earning abroad.

• Fix govt. policies

 MEASURES TO STOP BRAIN
DRAIN
• HEC
Build more new universities
Conduct evening classes in all campuses.

• PIA should allow a 50% discount for all Pakistani

students on international routes.

• Entering into international agreements

For not to recruit skilled people from
developing countries.
 CONCLUSION

• Our leaders often deliver lengthy speeches but no worthy

positive steps have been taken.

• Our government has not even asked Pakistani professionals to

return back and serve their country.

“Reversing the brain drain is a key priority for us.”