Influence of Brain Drain in Developing Countries
Research Article
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Influence of Brain Drain in Developing Countries

Tiankuo Li 1*
1 Central University of Finance and Economics
*Corresponding author: 2023311374@email.cufe.edu.cn
Published on 6 August 2025
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AEMPS Vol.203
ISSN (Print): 2754-1177
ISSN (Online): 2754-1169
ISBN (Print): 978-1-80590-275-1
ISBN (Online): 978-1-80590-276-8
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Abstract

In the era of globalization, the scale of international talent mobility is enormous. However, this flow remains uneven, with developing countries often facing the challenge of brain drain. This article analyzes a number of studies on the phenomenon of brain drain and its impact on national human capital and innovation capacity in developing countries in the context of globalization. This article first summarizes the basic connotation and definition of brain drain and examines the drivers of brain drain in developing countries with the help of the two aspects of push and pull in the push-pull theory. This article analyzes how human capital and innovation capacity in developing countries have changed in the context of brain drain, summarizing research on both positive and negative impacts. Finally, this article summarizes the limitations of existing research and offers recommendations. First, cross-national comparative research and analysis of net population outflows should be strengthened. Secondly, research on non-linear relationships should be deepened.

Keywords:

brain drain, developing countries, human capital, innovation capacity.

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Li,T. (2025). Influence of Brain Drain in Developing Countries. Advances in Economics, Management and Political Sciences,203,64-69.

References

[1]. Xu, J.Y., Li, P., Wang, Y.J. (2016) Transnational Brain Drain and Human Capital Accumulation in China: A Perspective Based on Studying Abroad. Population and Economy (3), 91-102.

[2]. Li, B.Y. (2009) International Mobility of Human Capital and the Brain Drain Crisis in China. Research on Financial Issues (5), 106-111.

[3]. Peng, Y.Z. (2022) A Multi-dimensional Study of the Transnational Mobility of Chinese Scholars Based on Academic Performance. East China Normal University.

[4]. Zhan, G.H., Li, Z.K. (2018) An Exploration of the Impact of Intellectual Capital Outflow on Technological Innovation. Science and Technology Management 39(6), 96-102.

[5]. Bhagwati, J., Hamada, K. (1974) The Brain Drain, International Integration of Markets for Professionals and Unemployment. Journal of Development Economics 1(1), 19-42.

[6]. Giannoccolo, P. (2009) The brain drain: A survey of the literature. Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, Department of Statistics, Working Paper.

[7]. Beine, M., Docquier, F., Rapoport, H. (2008) Brain drain and human capital formation in developing countries: winners and losers. The Economic Journal 118(528), 631-652.

[8]. Marini, G., Yang, L. (2021) Globally bred Chinese talents returning home: An analysis of a reverse brain-drain flagship policy. Science and Public Policy 48(4), 541-552.

[9]. Li, P., Yang, L.N. (2013) The Impact of Human Capital Outflow and Remittances on Technological Innovation. Modern Finance (Journal of Tianjin University of Finance and Economics) 33(2), 18-27.

[10]. Meng, X.X., Yu, C.L. (2024) Human Capital Outflow, the Internet, and Technological Innovation in Developing Countries. Systems Engineering Theory and Practice 44(3), 773-799.

[11]. Popogbe, O., Adeosun, O.T. (2022) Empirical analysis of the push factors of human capital flight in Nigeria. Journal of Humanities and Applied Social Sciences 4(1), 3-20.

[12]. Usman, M.A.M., Ozdeser, H., Çavuşoğlu, B. (2022) On the sustainable economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa: do remittances, human capital flight, and brain drain matter? Sustainability 14(4), 2117.

[13]. Šlibar, B., Oreški, D., Klačmer Čalopa, M. (2023) Push and Pull Factors in Brain Drain Among University Students. Management: Journal of Contemporary Management Issues 28(1), 65-80.

[14]. Ogbeifun, L., Shobande, O.A. (2022) A reevaluation of human capital accumulation and economic growth in OECD. Journal of Public Affairs 22(4), e2602.

[15]. Wu, J.J., Wang, X.Y. (2016) The Impact of Brain Drain on Technological Innovation in the Home Country: An Empirical Analysis Based on Chinese Immigrant Data. Urban Studies Journal 37(4), 1-6.

[16]. Adewumi, S.B., Ogbodo, C.J., Onoh, J.E. (2019) Human Capital Flight, Remittances and the Problem of Achieving Sustainable Economic Growth in Africa. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science 3(3), 190-197.

[17]. Chen, X.X. (2021) The Impact of Human Capital Outflow on Total Factor Productivity in China. Shandong University.

References

[1]. Xu, J.Y., Li, P., Wang, Y.J. (2016) Transnational Brain Drain and Human Capital Accumulation in China: A Perspective Based on Studying Abroad. Population and Economy (3), 91-102.

[2]. Li, B.Y. (2009) International Mobility of Human Capital and the Brain Drain Crisis in China. Research on Financial Issues (5), 106-111.

[3]. Peng, Y.Z. (2022) A Multi-dimensional Study of the Transnational Mobility of Chinese Scholars Based on Academic Performance. East China Normal University.

[4]. Zhan, G.H., Li, Z.K. (2018) An Exploration of the Impact of Intellectual Capital Outflow on Technological Innovation. Science and Technology Management 39(6), 96-102.

[5]. Bhagwati, J., Hamada, K. (1974) The Brain Drain, International Integration of Markets for Professionals and Unemployment. Journal of Development Economics 1(1), 19-42.

[6]. Giannoccolo, P. (2009) The brain drain: A survey of the literature. Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, Department of Statistics, Working Paper.

[7]. Beine, M., Docquier, F., Rapoport, H. (2008) Brain drain and human capital formation in developing countries: winners and losers. The Economic Journal 118(528), 631-652.

[8]. Marini, G., Yang, L. (2021) Globally bred Chinese talents returning home: An analysis of a reverse brain-drain flagship policy. Science and Public Policy 48(4), 541-552.

[9]. Li, P., Yang, L.N. (2013) The Impact of Human Capital Outflow and Remittances on Technological Innovation. Modern Finance (Journal of Tianjin University of Finance and Economics) 33(2), 18-27.

[10]. Meng, X.X., Yu, C.L. (2024) Human Capital Outflow, the Internet, and Technological Innovation in Developing Countries. Systems Engineering Theory and Practice 44(3), 773-799.

[11]. Popogbe, O., Adeosun, O.T. (2022) Empirical analysis of the push factors of human capital flight in Nigeria. Journal of Humanities and Applied Social Sciences 4(1), 3-20.

[12]. Usman, M.A.M., Ozdeser, H., Çavuşoğlu, B. (2022) On the sustainable economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa: do remittances, human capital flight, and brain drain matter? Sustainability 14(4), 2117.

[13]. Šlibar, B., Oreški, D., Klačmer Čalopa, M. (2023) Push and Pull Factors in Brain Drain Among University Students. Management: Journal of Contemporary Management Issues 28(1), 65-80.

[14]. Ogbeifun, L., Shobande, O.A. (2022) A reevaluation of human capital accumulation and economic growth in OECD. Journal of Public Affairs 22(4), e2602.

[15]. Wu, J.J., Wang, X.Y. (2016) The Impact of Brain Drain on Technological Innovation in the Home Country: An Empirical Analysis Based on Chinese Immigrant Data. Urban Studies Journal 37(4), 1-6.

[16]. Adewumi, S.B., Ogbodo, C.J., Onoh, J.E. (2019) Human Capital Flight, Remittances and the Problem of Achieving Sustainable Economic Growth in Africa. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science 3(3), 190-197.

[17]. Chen, X.X. (2021) The Impact of Human Capital Outflow on Total Factor Productivity in China. Shandong University.

Cite this article

Li,T. (2025). Influence of Brain Drain in Developing Countries. Advances in Economics, Management and Political Sciences,203,64-69.

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.

About volume

Volume title: Proceedings of ICEMGD 2025 Symposium: Resilient Business Strategies in Global Markets

ISBN: 978-1-80590-275-1(Print) / 978-1-80590-276-8(Online)
Editor: Florian Marcel Nuţă Nuţă, Li Chai
Conference website: https://2025.icemgd.org/CAU.html
Conference date: 20 September 2025
Series: Advances in Economics, Management and Political Sciences
Volume number: Vol.203
ISSN: 2754-1169(Print) / 2754-1177(Online)

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