On the Emigration of Engineers and Technicians

This chapter investigates the emigration of engineers and technicians from Türkiye, a growing phenomenon with significant implications for the country’s economic development and global competitiveness. Using a multidisciplinary approach, the study explores the structural and individual-level drivers behind the recent surge in highly skilled migration, focusing on economic instability, limited career advancement, political uncertainty, and quality-of-life concerns as major push factors. It juxtaposes these with the attractive conditions in destination countries, such as higher wages, professional development opportunities, and sociopolitical stability that act as strong pull factors. Drawing on historical emigration trends, demographic data, and sector-specific analyses, the chapter provides a comprehensive assessment of the financial costs incurred by the Turkish state in training these professionals and the opportunity costs borne when their expertise is transferred abroad. The study also examines the broader macroeconomic effects of brain drain, including reduced innovation capacity, productivity loss, fiscal strain, and labor market imbalances, particularly emphasizing strategic sectors such as information technology, engineering, and artificial intelligence. Through case studies and international comparisons, it demonstrates how highly skilled migrants contribute significantly to host economies, often filling critical labor shortages, driving entrepreneurship, and enhancing innovation. In response, the chapter outlines recommendations for mitigating the adverse effects of highly skilled emigration. These include improving domestic career conditions, investing in research and development, engaging with the diaspora, and creating incentives for return migration and reintegration. Additionally, it underscores the need for international cooperation to establish fair and mutually beneficial migration frameworks. By doing so, the study aims to support evidence-based policy making that safeguards national human capital while recognizing the complexities of global talent mobility.