On Causes and Costs of Brain Drain

Recent years, brain drain has been one of the most debated issues regarding migration in Türkiye. Migration from Türkiye has transformed significantly since the 1960s, shifting from low-skilled labor migration to high-skilled migration, especially after the 2000s. This change is driven by global technological developments, local socio-political dynamics, and the growing number of tertiary-educated individuals. The increase in university graduates has fueled a rise in brain drain, particularly after 2013, with many professionals—such as engineers, doctors, academics, and researchers—seeking opportunities abroad. Data from various organizations indicate a consistent upward trend in skilled emigration and asylum applications. This pattern highlights a significant challenge for the country’s future human capital and innovation capacity, as high-skilled individuals continue to pursue opportunities abroad. In an environment where resources are scarce, the expenditures made for qualified human capital are expected to provide added value to the relevant country in the long run while brain drain disrupts this process. Based on this in the first section, the magnitude of the brain drain in Türkiye is tried to be understood within the framework of the figures reflected. The second section focuses on the main factors that trigger the brain drain of highly skilled people in Türkiye. The impact of high-skilled migrants from Türkiye on the national economy and opportunities for reversing the brain drain are the main themes of the last chapter.