Intellectual Emigration: Brain Drain, Alternatives and More

In times of globalization, knowledge economy and world competition for high-skilled people, intellectual emigration has an ambiguous effect - it is a loss, but also an opportunity for the sending countries. This study introduces the theoretical fundamentals of international migration and its recent trends, focused on intensified student mobility and asymmetry of global demographic trends. The analysis includes the brain drain effect and provides some new viewpoints referring to its evaluation; considered are some alternatives for balancing the negative brain drain impact through actual feedback effects. Investigated student migration potential introduces an approximate profile of young high educated Bulgarian emigrant. The study could be of use to all Bulgarians who have lived outside of the country, to those who want to leave and those who live abroad. Particular attention is paid to all civil, governmental and business structures related to the Bulgarian socio-economic environment or to anyone else who study the problems of international migration.