Bharat, known for its rich pool of talent and skilled professionals, is grappling with a pressing issue – brain drain. This phenomenon is characterized by the emigration of highly skilled individuals from their home country, has had a significant impact on Bharat’s prosperity. In this blog, we delve into the depths of brain drain, examining its causes, impact, and potential countermeasures.
I. Understanding Brain Drain
Brain drain refers to the emigration of highly qualified and skilled individuals from their home country to seek better opportunities abroad. There are several causes that contribute to this phenomenon. Factors such as limited employment prospects, inadequate compensation, lack of career growth, political instability, and a desire for better living standards often push talented individuals to seek greener pastures elsewhere. This issue is not new but has its roots in history, with developing nations like Bharat witnessing mass emigration of their talented citizens for decades.
II. Historical perspective on brain drain
A little story time –
When Bharat gained its independence in 1947, the British had already severely damaged Indian civilization to the point where 80% of the country’s population was living in poverty and just 12% of the population was literate. In the 1950s, our country’s first prime minister, Nehruji, made the decision to establish the IITs in Bharat because he understood that, in order for our country to advance, we must take organized steps to develop the best engineering and scientific talent here; without them, we cannot build manufacturing facilities, and without infrastructure, we could not have advanced as a country. He had no idea that Bharat would be the world’s major source of brainpower.
During the 1970s many young Indians graduated from elite and subsidized public institutions only to find jobs which were not financially attractive in Bharat so they started leaving the country to make the most of their degrees and skills to get better rewards for their effort and talent. Most of them never returned and they ended up as prominent innovators, researchers, scientists, entrepreneurs etc. at that time Bharat needed such professionals the most as our country was still poor post-colonial period and the exodus of its brightest is said to have diminished Bharat’s growth.
However, as a result of the 1991 liberalization, which saw the entry of several MNCs and FDI, higher education institutions started to spring up. This return of the Indian diaspora had a significant role in the 1990s economic boom. Indians who had fled the country returned with money, knowledge, ideas, and networks, all of which fueled the economic boom but only for a short period of time.
III. The Impact of Brain Drain on India’s Economy
Bharat is one of the biggest traders in the world economy but what is the most valuable resource we export? It’s not petroleum products or engineering goods but the talented people of Bharat and students who go abroad to study. Bharat ranks 1st when it comes to migration of the wealthy and educated, it accounts for 65% of the global share.
According to reports, close to nine lakh Indians have given up their citizenship since 2015. In addition, 23000 millionaires have left Bharat since 2014. And In 2021 itself, around 1.11 lakh Indians gave up their citizenship.
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information in USA (NCBI), Bharat is the biggest exporters of doctors in the world.
One of the most significant impacts of brain drain is the loss of a highly skilled workforce that contributes to Bharat’s economic growth. These talented individuals, who undergo years of education and training, are essential for driving innovation, productivity, and sustainable development. Their departure leaves a void that is difficult to fill, hampering various sectors and industries. As a result, Bharat experiences a decline in its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate. When talented and highly skilled people leave Bharat, it costs the Indian economy an insane loss of 17 billion dollars or 1.41 lakh crore every single year.
If Bharat needs to grow into a 10 trillion-dollar economy, this is one of the present issues that must be addressed.
IV. Why Indian economy is suffering from talent drain syndrome?
Push factors are the issues that Bharat is facing because of which people don’t want to live in Bharat, while Pull factors are the advantages that Indians get when they move abroad.
Push factors
- Lack of business accessibility –Due to the challenging business environment in Bharat talented individuals, including entrepreneurs, professionals, and innovators, migrate to other countries in search of more accessible and business-friendly environments which contributes to brain drain and leads to a loss of valuable human capital.The barriers are – limited opportunities for entrepreneurship, regulatory hurdles, lack of investment i.e., difficulty in accessing capital, coupled with a risk-averse investment climate, bureaucratic red tape, inadequate infrastructure, lack of funding i.e., investors sometimes hesitate to support startups and new ventures due to the perceived challenges in the business ecosystem.
- Lack of Research and Development Opportunities –According to Business Today, the number of Indian scientists and engineers working in the United States increased by 85% between 2003 and 2013. This is because the West offers better infrastructure, better laboratories, and better equipment that are required to conduct their study or research.In contrast, the amount that Bharat spends on R&D—0.7 percent of our GDP as per a study conducted by government think-tank NITI Aayog and Institute for Competitiveness —is among the lowest in the world.According to data, Bharat has a lower GERD than the other BRICS countries. Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa spend around 1.2%, 1.1%, above 2% and 0.8% respectively. The global average is around 1.8%.
- Access Denied: Exclusive Education in Bharat –Exclusive and often expensive educational institutions in Bharat may not be accessible to all talented students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. This limited access can prevent many bright minds from realizing their full potential within the country.Many students consider pursuing further education abroad in light of the increasing cut-offs for prominent Indian universities. Also, they often find more appealing career prospects, better job opportunities, and higher wages in foreign countries.Hence, any country’s quality education system must be inclusive, not exclusive, and everyone who has the desire to learn must be given a fair chance to do so.
- Limited Job Prospects –There are inadequate job opportunities in Bharat, particularly in sectors that demand specialized skills, drive talented individuals to explore better prospects abroad.Further, there is poor quality of employment in Bharat, many individuals seek job security, career growth, and a higher quality of work life, which they believe may be more readily available in foreign countries.Besides, if we compare the average wages in the context of purchasing power parity in USA vs Bharat in academics a person earns 6x more in USA as compared to what he/she earned in Bharat, in IT sector it’s more than 2X and in management more than 3X as compared to Bharat.
- Gender Inequality –
It contributes to the emigration of highly skilled and educated women, leading to brain drain. This phenomenon not only deprives Bharat of its valuable female talent but also perpetuates social and economic disparities.There is gender bias in access to education and employment opportunities, gender wage gaps persist in Bharat, with women often earning less than their male counterparts for the same work, making it financially attractive for skilled women to seek better-paying jobs abroad.
Pull factors
- Quality of Life: Higher standards of living, including better healthcare, transportation, infrastructure, and higher salaries, can be significant pull factors for those seeking an improved lifestyle.
- Economic Opportunities: The potential for financial growth, investments, and business ventures may motivate entrepreneurs and business professionals to explore opportunities abroad.
- Better Employment Opportunities: Developed countries often offer a wider range of employment opportunities, higher wages, and job security, making them attractive destinations for skilled professionals seeking career advancement and financial stability.
- Quality Education: Access to prestigious universities, research institutions, and high-quality educational programs abroad can motivate Indian students and academics to pursue higher education and research opportunities.
- Advanced Technology and Research: Countries with robust research and development ecosystems and state-of-the-art technology infrastructure attract Indian scientists, researchers, and innovators looking to engage in cutting-edge work.
V. Addressing Brain Drain’s Root Causes
To effectively tackle brain drain, it is imperative to address its root causes. Recognizing the severity of brain drain, the Indian government has been implementing various policies and strategies to mitigate its adverse effects. By creating ample domestic opportunities and fostering an environment conducive to growth, the government aims to retain talented individuals within the country.
I. Need for Entrepreneurial Ecosystem: Foster a supportive environment for entrepreneurship to encourage job creation within the country.
Such as the government has taken various steps: –
- The “Startup India” initiative, launched in 2016, aims to promote entrepreneurship and innovation. It offers benefits such as tax exemptions, easier business registration, and access to funding for startups.
- Atal Innovation Mission: This mission focuses on fostering innovation and entrepreneurship among students and startups. It aims to create a culture of innovation from a young age.
- The government has set up innovation and startup hubs, such as the “Atal Tinkering Labs” and “Startup India Hub,” to support entrepreneurship and innovation.
II. Strengthen Research and Development: increase investment in research and development to create an environment conducive to scientific and technological advancements and promoting international research collaborations and partnerships with global institutions can facilitate knowledge exchange and collaboration for researchers.
Shri Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (I/C) for the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Earth Sciences, stated in a written reply in Lok Sabha that the Union Government has observed no significant brain drain to the extent of affecting developments in the Science and Technology (S&T) sector. To retain the top human resources in the country, a three-pronged strategy has been implemented. The first strategy has been the establishment of a major competent research infrastructure, a scientific atmosphere, and academic / research institutions. Secondly, creation opportunities for Indian scientists working abroad to contribute to their country. Third, creating new opportunities for postdoctoral research in Bharat.
Many of the young scientists have been supported through schemes like Start-up Research Grant, National Postdoctoral Fellowship of the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB).
III. Invest in Education: Improve the quality and accessibility of education at all levels to retain talent within the country.
Such as New Education Policy implemented by government will tackle the problem of brain drain in Bharat.
IV. Skill Development: Invest in vocational training and skill development programs.
” Skill India” was launched to provide skill development training and certification to empower the Indian workforce. It aims to bridge the skills gap and enhance employability.
V. Encourage Returnees: Create programs that incentivize Indians abroad to return home.
Initiatives like the “Pravasi Bhartiya Samman Award” recognize and honor the contributions of the Indian diaspora, encouraging return migration.
VI. Enhancing Economic Opportunities: To retain talent, Bharat needs to create more job opportunities and foster economic growth in various sectors. This can be achieved by investing in infrastructure, supporting emerging industries.
Like: Launched in 2014, the “Make in India” campaign aims to promote Bharat as a global manufacturing hub. It encourages foreign and domestic investment in various sectors, fostering job creation and economic growth.
In summary, talent drain syndrome poses significant challenges to the Indian economy. By understanding its causes, historical context, and profession-specific impact, we can devise effective interventions. From policy initiatives to education reforms, entrepreneurial promotion to bridging industry-academia gaps, addressing infrastructure deficiencies to promoting gender equality, Bharat has a myriad of opportunities to combat talent drain and foster a sustainable and prosperous future.
Talent retention is crucial for achieving Bharat’s sustainable development goals. Talent retention presents immense opportunities for Bharat’s inclusive and sustainable development. By retaining highly skilled individuals, the country can establish itself as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, creating job opportunities, advancing social welfare, and uplifting marginalized sections of society.
Let me know if you have any queries. And lastly here’s a question for u all – What steps can individuals take to prevent brain drain?