World Bank Advocates for Transforming Brain Drain into Brain Gain in Central Asia
The World Bank report encourages Central Asian countries to shift from brain drain to brain gain by attracting skilled migrants back home. It outlines strategies for governments to monitor labor markets, align educational systems, foster public-private partnerships, and incentivize high-skilled migrant returns. The study highlights the significant economic impact of remittances within the region, emphasizing migration management’s potential to alleviate poverty.
A recent World Bank report emphasizes the significance of remittances to Central Asian economies and advocates for transforming the region’s “brain drain” into “brain gain.” The study suggests that countries should implement explicit migration policies aimed at encouraging skilled migrants to return after acquiring international expertise.
To support this transformation, the report recommends that origin-country governments should:
1. Monitor labor market needs.
2. Implement educational cost-sharing systems that align with market demand.
3. Encourage public-private partnerships through Global Skill Partnerships.
4. Incentivize the return of high-skilled migrants via labor market reforms and supportive policies.
The World Bank presented the findings in its study, “The Journey Ahead: Supporting Successful Migration in Europe and Central Asia,” during an event attended by officials and experts from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. The report explores current migration trends and challenges in the Europe and Central Asia (ECA) region, which accommodates approximately 100 million migrants or one-third of the global migrant population.
Factors such as income disparities, demographic changes, climate change, and conflicts are forecasted to sustain increased migration patterns. As of 2024, remittances constitute 45% of Tajikistan’s GDP, 24% of Kyrgyzstan’s GDP, and 14% of Uzbekistan’s GDP.
Notably, the study reveals that over 80% of migration flows from Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan are directed towards Russia. In contrast, Uzbekistan exhibits a more diverse migration pattern, with 57% of its migrants in Russia, 15% in Kazakhstan, and 10% in Ukraine. By working abroad, migrants in these countries can potentially double or triple their earnings, significantly enhancing their households’ welfare.
For instance, Kyrgyz households with an international migrant experience a poverty rate of less than 10%. Without remittances, this figure could surge above 50%. Similarly, in Uzbekistan, the poverty rate is projected to rise from 9.6% to 16.8% without financial support from migrants abroad.
The World Bank asserts that by recognizing both the challenges and opportunities linked to migration, the report aims to stimulate a more informed discussion regarding the complexities of cross-border mobility. “If managed effectively, migration can be a powerful and increasingly necessary tool for addressing the sociodemographic imbalances in the ECA region,” the report concludes while noting that the full economic potential of migration has yet to be realized.
The World Bank’s report highlights the critical role of remittances in Central Asia and proposes transforming brain drain into brain gain by focusing on skilled migrant returnees. Policies should be developed to align education with market needs and provide incentives for returning migrants. Recognizing migration’s potential to alleviate poverty and stimulate economic growth in the region remains essential. Ultimately, effective management of migration can address persistent sociodemographic challenges in the ECA.
Original Source: www.intellinews.com
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