Brain drain and South Africa's socioeconomic development: The waves and its effects

Abstract

Many African countries are bedeviled with huge losses of human skills, and this, in turn, has affected thier development. From health professionals to teachers, academics and engineers, the continent has lost numerous skilled personnel who ought to be contributing extensively to its socio‐economic development. The socio‐economic development of a country hinges on the availability of skilled human resources to drive its growth. Brain drain has long being a challenge for South Africa as the country continues to lose skilled professionals to other countries, hence, the unsteady growth of its economy. Using a strict textual analysis of the relevant literature relating to brain drain in South Africa, the study found that the South African government lacks a clear cut policy on how to reduce brain drain, and this will impact the country's socioeconomic development in the long term. Using the theoretical framework of Lee's push and pull theory, the study argues that brain drain in South Africa is reinforced by certain socio‐economic factors. The paper concludes that South Africa's vision of becoming Africa's industrial hub may remain a dream if the country fails to put losing its skilled professionals under control.

Challenges and strategies for the internationalization of higher education in low-income East African countries

“…Many African countries suffer from the loss of their skilled human resources in various fields of science. This has had a terrible impact on the sustainable development of these countries (Mlambo & Adetiba, 2019 ). According to participants, brain drain could be one of the negative aspects of internationalization, especially for low- and middle-income countries.…”

An Examination of Academically Successful Secondary School Students’ Aspirations with Regard to Potential Human Capital Flight (Brain Drain)

“…Capuano and Marfouk (2013), for instance, state that economic indicators in African countries which experience brain drain are not improving; therefore, although investment agencies seek various ways to inspire confidence in their country and give recommendations to investors, they are unable to attract said investors to their countries precisely because of brain drain. Mlambo & Adetiba (2019) and Chimboza (2012) have also called attention to similar findings which indicate that the exodus of medical personnel, teachers, professors, and engineers from North African countries has severely damaged these countries' socio-economic development. In addition, the government's inability to develop effective policies to prevent brain drain has accelerated this process.…”

Role of Economic Instability, Political Instability, and Foreign Job Opportunities on Brain Drain: Perception of Business Students

“…All of these factors directly relate to governmental authorities; they do ensure young graduates should not move to the host country for the above-described reasons (Hashmi et al, 2012;Parveen et al, 2022). An empirical study conducted by Bang and Mitra, (2011) also identified that the political institutions should play the role and develop skills among the labor for better productivity and income (Mlambo, V. H., & Adetiba, T. C., 2019). A study revealed that the key problem of brain drain is the economic policy that the existing government hold practically.…”