Abstract

ESTEBAN, Fernando Osvaldo. The mobility of Latin American and Caribbean professionals and university students to OECD countries. Pap. poblac [online]. 2011, vol.17, n.69, pp.105-149. ISSN 2448-7147.

In this paper, we analyze the current trends in skilled migration from Latin America and the Caribbean to OECD countries, focusing on United States. We discuss theoretical perspectives on skilled migration from a literature review, and detect historical migration trends in Latin America. We used a new database on emigration rates by education attainment to examine the flows and impact of brain drain migration. Empirical evidence showed that the stock of skilled migrants increased between 1990 and 2000 in absolute terms, and relative to migrants with low and medium levels of education. Women exhibit higher emigration rates than skilled men. Small states, with low levels of development, have seen emigration increasing at greater rates than others. Paradoxically, countries with smaller diasporas show higher levels of migration selectivity. It is estimated that about 40 percent of these skilled, in most cases professional immigrants do not find employment in their chosen profession (scientific and engineering) and they are under-employed and their talent and skills are wasted.

Keywords : skilled migration; Latin America and the Caribbean; student international mobility; brain drain; globalization.

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