Study Examines Converting Migration Drains into Gains

WHILE THE benefits of remittances from overseas workers to a recipient country’s economic development are important, migration has other contributions that may not be beneficial to the homeland, such as brain drain.

A new ADB study, Converting Migration Drains into Gains: Harnessing the Resources of Overseas Professionals, analyzes this often ignored aspect of diaspora and recommends ways to turn this into an advantage.

“As elements of globalization contribute more and more to diaspora size, mobilization, and qualitative expansion of potential contributions, the time has come for more concerted research of actual and potential diaspora contributions and at least preliminary exploration of strategic policies and programs to support them,” the study says.

Through three case studies involving Afghanistan, the People's Republic of China, and Philippines, the study shows that while brain drain is a concern, diaspora has greater opportunities for knowledge gain than may be recognized and realized. The study recommends policy options labor-sending countries can adopt to realize these opportunities for knowledge gain.

“When contemplating brain drain, it is important also to consider knowledge and skills as dynamic products of knowledge and socio-cognitive networks, yielding assets that would not have been possible without out-migration,” the study says.

Read the study here.

The final report was edited by Clay Wescott, a former Principal Regional Cooperation Specialist for ADB, and Professor Jennifer Brinkerhoff, George Washington University.

Studies on the PRC were led by Dr. Xiang Biao, Centre on Migration, Policy and Society, University of Oxford. The Afghanistan team was led by Prof. Shah Mahmoud Hanifi, James Madison University and American Institute of Afghanistan Studies. The Philippines study team comprised Jeremaiah M. Opiniano and Tricia Anne Castro, under the leadership of Victoria P. Garchitorena, President, Ayala Foundation USA.

Funding was provided by ADB’s Governance Cooperation Fund. The book was published by the Regional and Sustainable Development Department. Please contact Raza Ahmad at rahmad@adb.org for further queries.

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