AN EMPIRICAL INVESTIGATION OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC DETERMINANTS AND ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES OF BRAIN DRAIN IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

The statistical investigation of Pakistan's highly skilled labor force migration to other countries is the focus of this study. We look into push and pull factors as the primary drivers of cross-border migration of highly skilled individuals. Using time series data from 1980 to 2023, we apply ARDL analysis to find out the short- and long-term effects of brain drain on Pakistan's economy. The empirical conclusions lend credence to the demand-supply and gravity models of migration. According to our discoveries, brain drain has a negative influence on economic growth, but remittances sent home by foreigners to Pakistan have a positive impact, and the remaining control variables show the same patterns as the theories. We can summarize the findings by saying that developing nations like Pakistan prioritize planned brain exports over unplanned brain drains.