Brain Drain

Brain Drain

Human capital flight, more commonly referred to as "brain drain", is the large-scale emigration of individuals with technical skills or knowledge. The reasons usually include two aspects which respectively come from countries and individuals. In terms of countries, the reasons may be social environment (in source countries: lack of opportunities, political instability, economic depression, health risks; in host countries: rich opportunities, comparatively good political system, developed economy, better living conditions). In terms of individual reasons, there are family influence (overseas relatives, and personal preference (preference for exploring, ambition for an improved career. Although the term originally referred to technology workers leaving a nation, the meaning has broadened into: "the departure of educated or professional people from one country, economic sector, or field for another, usually for better pay or living conditions".

There is no way currently to keep count of exactly how many Nepalis are studying abroad. The Ministry of Education estimates that up to 12,000 go abroad annually, excluding to India. About 40 students come to the ministry every day for recommendation letters for visas. According to the Institute of International Education, a US-based organisation that monitors international students, 4,861 Nepalis were studying in US universities and colleges in 2004-2005. International students deliver $13.3 billion to the US every year. Our estimates show that, India aside, Nepali students take out Rs 10 billion a year out of the country in hard currency to pay for their studies.

Every year 250,000 youth are reported to leave the country for various reasons. They seek opportunities in its various manifestation — higher living standards, employment, better income, education, a luring western lifestyle, stability and security. The list entails everything our country is incapable of providing to the youth for the obvious reasons. Hence, it comes as no surprise that 556 youth leave the country to go overseas in a given day. How many of them return to their homeland? The inflow number is almost negligible and the inflow and outflow ratio of youth in Nepal is very discouraging.

Many Nepalis living abroad would want to return to Nepal if there is political stability and economic development. The lack of political stability and the law and order situation are the main reasons. Brain Drain needs to be stopped if Nepal is to achieve its developmental goals .