Publication

This paper examines whether the brain drain of doctors, engineers and other skilled workers from developing countries threatens development in these countries. The author argues that much existing evidence and some new evidence suggests that regulating skilled-worker mobility itself does little to address the underlying causes of skilled migrants' choices, generally brings few benefits to others, and often brings diverse unintended harm. The paper concludes with examples of effective ways that developing countries can build a skill base for development without regulating human movement.