Attracting highly skilled migrants to the Russian regions

The study aims at identifying the role of traditional and new factors that contribute to attracting highly educated workers. We summarized the key literature facts and performed econometric analyses on previously unused data on both internal and external migration with higher education in the Russian regions from 2008 to 2019. Our methodology differs from traditional models based on migration flows between destinations and focuses on characteristics of receiving regions. We showed that densely populated metropolitan areas with broader labour markets opportunities stimulate highly skilled mobility; higher income, new vacancies and housing availability are among significant traditional factors. However, migrants with higher education also chose educated, healthy communities and favourable business environment as such regions provided wider career and other opportunities. It is shown for the first time for Russia that improving the business climate helps to attract highly skilled human capital. Mild climate and comfortable environment turned out to be preferable, although the richest centres of oil and gas production in the north are actively attracting migrants. Improved access to the Internet and further digitalization can reduce migration, which may be related to the prospects of remote work. High scientific and educational potential is significant, but only attracting students is not enough, as they will leave a region after graduation. In conclusion, we offered some non-trivial policy recommendations based on the identified factors and considering the new pandemic reality: high-tech cluster development, proactive scientific and entrepreneurial policy, and measures to improve urban environment in the largest agglomerations and southern regions.