Brain drain from Turkey: an investigation of students' return intentions


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GÜNGÖR N. D., TANSEL A.

APPLIED ECONOMICS, cilt.40, sa.23, ss.3069-3087, 2008 (SSCI) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 40 Sayı: 23
  • Basım Tarihi: 2008
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1080/00036840600993999
  • Dergi Adı: APPLIED ECONOMICS
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.3069-3087
  • Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

The emigration of skilled individuals from Turkey attracted greater media attention and the interest of policymakers in Turkey, particularly after the experience of recurrent economic crises that have led to an increase in unemployment among the highly educated young. This study estimates a model of return intentions using a data set compiled from an Internet survey of Turkish students residing abroad. The findings of this study indicate that, as expected, higher salaries offered in the host country and lifestyle preferences, including a more organized environment in the host country, increase the probability of student nonreturn. However, the analysis also points to the importance of prior return intentions and the role of the family in the decision to return to Turkey or stay overseas. It is also found that the compulsory service requirement attached to government scholarships increases the probability of student return. Turkish student association membership also increases return intentions. Longer stay durations, on the other hand, decrease the probability of return. These findings have important policy implications.