The 'brain drain' and Hungary's ostrich strategy: The approach of the government to the human capital flight from Hungary since 2010

Since its accession to the European Union in 2004, but especially since 2010, emigration rates from Hungary have significantly increased. Migration patterns have shifted; young, highly skilled professionals are most likely to migrate and they are increasingly leaving the country with no intention to return. This leads to severe shortages in the Hungarian labour market in several sectors, such as academia, IT, tourism, and in particular healthcare. Studies on the ‘brain drain’ have been mainly concerned with the effects of the phenomenon on receiving and sending countries, whereas research focused little on the determinants of migration and solutions to controlling the human capital flow. Opposition parties, the media and several sectors are putting pressure on the government to act and scholars have highlighted the role states can play in influencing the ‘brain drain’ (Vas-Zoltán, 1976; De Haas, 2011). The government approach is contradictory and at times controversial. This thesis...Show moreSince its accession to the European Union in 2004, but especially since 2010, emigration rates from Hungary have significantly increased. Migration patterns have shifted; young, highly skilled professionals are most likely to migrate and they are increasingly leaving the country with no intention to return. This leads to severe shortages in the Hungarian labour market in several sectors, such as academia, IT, tourism, and in particular healthcare. Studies on the ‘brain drain’ have been mainly concerned with the effects of the phenomenon on receiving and sending countries, whereas research focused little on the determinants of migration and solutions to controlling the human capital flow. Opposition parties, the media and several sectors are putting pressure on the government to act and scholars have highlighted the role states can play in influencing the ‘brain drain’ (Vas-Zoltán, 1976; De Haas, 2011). The government approach is contradictory and at times controversial. This thesis studies the approach of the Hungarian government to the ‘brain drain’ based on attitude demonstrated as well as policies pursued and whether it addresses the causes of migration.Show less

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The 'brain drain' and Hungary's ostrich strategy: The approach of the government to the human capital flight from Hungary since 2010