An investigation of brain drain/gain in Atlantic Canada (2011-21) using a revised index and probit model
Loading...
Date
2024-08
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of New Brunswick
Abstract
Brain drain or gain, through changes in the stock of human capital, can affect the productivity and economic growth of a region. However, precisely determining whether a province inside a country has experienced brain drain or gain during a period can be challenging since it depends on the net flow, both inflow and outflow, of skilled workers. This study utilizes a revised Brain Drain/Gain Index (BGDI*) to investigate brain drain/gain in Atlantic provinces and compare their situation to other provinces in Canada. The BGDI*s, calculated using the Canadian National Household Survey (2011), Census 2016 and 2021, and Postsecondary Student Information System (PSIS) data, indicate that most of the Atlantic provinces experienced brain drain during 2011-16 and brain gain during 2016-21. Estimation from a probit model reveals that recent immigrants, more educated individuals, higher income groups, and ethnic minorities have a higher tendency to move out of the Atlantic provinces.