Human Capital in the Heartland: Evidence on Brain Drain

The Midwestern United States is often called the Heartland of America. The Heartland was once an engine of American economic growth, but technological change and industrial restructuring have made it difficult for many places to thrive. Skilled workers are critical for regional economic prosperity. However, the Heartland is struggling with its human capital. Specifically, the Heartland produces college-educated workers at a high rate but disproportionately loses these workers to other regions. In other words, the Midwest is suffering brain drain to other regions. In this outreach article, I present key facts about this issue and discuss possible paths forward.