The within-country distribution of brain drain and brain gain effects: A case study on Senegal

Philippe Bocquier; Narcisse Cha'Ngom; Frédéric Docquier; Joël Machado

doi:10.1017/dem.2023.27

The within-country distribution of brain drain and brain gain effects: A case study on Senegal

Philippe Bocquier, Narcisse Cha'Ngom, Frédéric Docquier, Joël Machado

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Existing empirical literature provides converging evidence that selective emigration enhances human capital accumulation in the world's poorest countries. However, the within-country distribution of such brain gain effects has received limited attention. Focusing on Senegal, we provide evidence that the brain gain mechanism primarily benefits the wealthiest regions that are internationally connected and have better access to education. Conversely, human capital responses are negligible in regions lacking international connectivity, and even negative in better connected regions with inadequate educational opportunities. These results extend to internal migration, implying that highly vulnerable populations are trapped in the least developed areas.

Original language	English
Journal	Journal of Demographic Economics
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1017/dem.2023.27
Publication status	E-pub ahead of print - 24 Feb 2024

Bibliographical note

This research was supported by the Directorate for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs of the Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs (project on “Cellule d'Analyse d'Impact des Politiques de Développement”), the Luxembourg National Research Fund under the ACROSS Doctoral Training Unit (contract no. PRIDE19/14302992), and by the ARC project of the Belgian French speaking Community on “New approaches to understanding and modeling global migration trends” (convention no. 18/23-091). 1

Keywords

Brain drain
brain gain
human capital
migration
selection
Senegal

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10.1017/dem.2023.27

Cite this

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title = "The within-country distribution of brain drain and brain gain effects: A case study on Senegal",

abstract = "Existing empirical literature provides converging evidence that selective emigration enhances human capital accumulation in the world's poorest countries. However, the within-country distribution of such brain gain effects has received limited attention. Focusing on Senegal, we provide evidence that the brain gain mechanism primarily benefits the wealthiest regions that are internationally connected and have better access to education. Conversely, human capital responses are negligible in regions lacking international connectivity, and even negative in better connected regions with inadequate educational opportunities. These results extend to internal migration, implying that highly vulnerable populations are trapped in the least developed areas.",

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AU - Docquier, Frédéric

AU - Machado, Joël

N1 - This research was supported by the Directorate for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs of the Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs (project on “Cellule d'Analyse d'Impact des Politiques de Développement”), the Luxembourg National Research Fund under the ACROSS Doctoral Training Unit (contract no. PRIDE19/14302992), and by the ARC project of the Belgian French speaking Community on “New approaches to understanding and modeling global migration trends” (convention no. 18/23-091). 1

PY - 2024/2/24

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N2 - Existing empirical literature provides converging evidence that selective emigration enhances human capital accumulation in the world's poorest countries. However, the within-country distribution of such brain gain effects has received limited attention. Focusing on Senegal, we provide evidence that the brain gain mechanism primarily benefits the wealthiest regions that are internationally connected and have better access to education. Conversely, human capital responses are negligible in regions lacking international connectivity, and even negative in better connected regions with inadequate educational opportunities. These results extend to internal migration, implying that highly vulnerable populations are trapped in the least developed areas.

AB - Existing empirical literature provides converging evidence that selective emigration enhances human capital accumulation in the world's poorest countries. However, the within-country distribution of such brain gain effects has received limited attention. Focusing on Senegal, we provide evidence that the brain gain mechanism primarily benefits the wealthiest regions that are internationally connected and have better access to education. Conversely, human capital responses are negligible in regions lacking international connectivity, and even negative in better connected regions with inadequate educational opportunities. These results extend to internal migration, implying that highly vulnerable populations are trapped in the least developed areas.

KW - Brain drain

KW - brain gain

KW - human capital

KW - migration

KW - selection

KW - Senegal

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JF - Journal of Demographic Economics

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The within-country distribution of brain drain and brain gain effects: A case study on Senegal

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

Access to Document

Other files and links

ACROSS: Analysis of CROSS-border human mobility

Cite this

The within-country distribution of brain drain and brain gain effects: A case study on Senegal

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

Access to Document

Other files and links

Projects

ACROSS: Analysis of CROSS-border human mobility

Cite this