Brain Drain Benefits to the USA Less Than They Could Be

Posted on August 22, 2007  Comments (7)

Study Points to ‘Brain-Drain’ of Skilled U.S. Immigrant Entrepreneurs to Home Countries. I am not totally sure reverse brain drain is the proper term. It appears to me this is really saying the size of the brain drain, coming to the USA, is less than it could be (many brains that came are returning). Yes in some senses it is a brain drain from the USA but still…

In this study, “Intellectual Property, the Immigration Backlog, and a Reverse Brain-Drain,” researchers offer a more refined measure of this rise in contributions of foreign nationals to U.S. intellectual property and analyze the possible impact of the immigrant-visa backlog for skilled workers. The key finding from this research is that the number of skilled workers waiting for visas is significantly larger than the number that can be admitted to the United States. This imbalance creates the potential for a sizeable reverse brain-drain from the U.S. to the skilled workers’ home countries.

“These findings are important, highlighting the invaluable contribution of foreign nationals to our country’s technological and economic vitality,” said Duke Provost Peter Lange, the university’s top academic officer. “We know from our own experience here that students from China, India and other nations can play an outstanding role in advancing knowledge and creating new jobs, especially in cutting-edge fields.”

I don’t think this result is going to decrease. And I believe the actual loss of scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs born in the USA for significant portions of their careers to other countries will increase dramatically over the next 25 years. I agree that it is in the interests of the USA to try and retain the ‘Brain Drain’ advantages it has been receiving.

Related: Science and Engineering in Global EconomicsUSA Losing Brain Drain BenefitsScience Gap and Economic ConsequencesEconomy, Science and DiplomacyThe Future is Engineering

7 Responses to “Brain Drain Benefits to the USA Less Than They Could Be”

  1. Global Voices Online » India: Reverse Brain Drain from America?
    August 26th, 2007 @ 11:22 pm

    […] Nita leaves us to ponder, Curiouscat in his ‘Science and Engineering blog’ writes under the title “Brain Drain Benefits to […]

  2. India: Reverse Brain Drain from America? | Pilka
    August 27th, 2007 @ 12:23 am

    “Curiouscat in his ‘Science and Engineering blog’ writes under the title “Brain Drain Benefits to the USA Less Than They Could Be” strongly believes that there is no turning back….”

  3. CuriousCat: Engineering Education Study Debate
    November 25th, 2007 @ 11:26 am

    As I have said many times the economic future will be greatly influenced by science and engineering. Those countries that succeed in creating a positive economic climate for science and engineering development will find economic rewards those that fail to do so will suffer…

  4. CuriousCat: Offering Residency to Foreign Engineers and Scientists
    February 26th, 2008 @ 7:41 pm

    “Foreign-born engineering, science, and math students in the United States should be automatically granted legal residency when they get a job in this country, said California Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren…”

  5. Anonymous
    June 27th, 2008 @ 7:45 am

    I think you will find this problem exists everywhere today. I have a friend in Europe who keeps complaining about the lack of “talent”. In the workforce this really sucks, since those who have the talent seem to end up working harder and harder.

    I’m not sure whether the government will actually be successful in luring these people back since the grass is always greener on the other side.

  6. Curious Cat Science and Engineering Blog » Symptom of America’s Decline in Particle Physics
    September 11th, 2008 @ 8:38 am

    The economic benefits of having science and engineering centers of excellence in your country are real…

  7. Anonymous
    September 16th, 2008 @ 11:38 am

    From my observation, young people today do not want to learn new skills. They want to be like their start : make tons of money doing almost nothing. I say China will take over as superpower, they have a lot of people and it looks like they have fixed their education system.

    Konnichiwa!

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