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Brain Drain from Turkey: Return Intentions of Skilled Migrants

Author

Listed:
  • Nil Demet Gungor

    (Department of Economics, Atilim University)

  • Aysit Tansel

    (Department of Economics, METU)

Abstract

The study estimates an empirical model of return intentions using a dataset compiled from an internet survey of Turkish professionals residing abroad. In the migration literature, wage differentials are often cited as an important factor explaining skilled migration. The findings of our study suggest, however, that non-pecuniary factors, such as the importance of family and social considerations, are also influential in the return or non-return decision of the highly educated. In addition, economic instability in Turkey, prior intensions to stay abroad and work experience in Turkey also increase non-return. Female respondents also appear less likely to return indicating a more selective migration process for females.

Suggested Citation

  • Nil Demet Gungor & Aysit Tansel, 2009. "Brain Drain from Turkey: Return Intentions of Skilled Migrants," ERC Working Papers 0902, ERC - Economic Research Center, Middle East Technical University, revised Oct 2009.
  • Handle: RePEc:met:wpaper:0902
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    File URL: http://erc.metu.edu.tr/en/system/files/menu/series09/0902.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Ngoc Thi Minh Tran & Michael P. Cameron & Jacques Poot, 2018. "Return or Not Return? The Role of Home-Country Institutional Quality in Vietnamese Migrants’ Return Intentions," Working Papers in Economics 18/04, University of Waikato.
    2. Elveren, Adem Yavuz & Toksöz, Gülay, 2017. "Why Don’t Highly Skilled Women Want to Return? Turkey’s Brain Drain from a Gender Perspective," MPRA Paper 80290, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    3. Lois Labrianidis & Theodosis Sykas, 2017. "Why High School Students Aspire to Emigrate: Evidence from Greece," Journal of International Migration and Integration, Springer, vol. 18(1), pages 107-130, February.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Skilled migration; brain drain; return intentions; Turkey;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F20 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - General
    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration

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