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This paper analyses the extent of the brain drain from South Africa since the turn of the century. Recent estimates by Adcorp suggest that the brain drain has reversed and that numerous highly-skilled South Africans have returned from overseas since the onset of the global financial crisis in 2008. New empirical evidence is presented in this paper to substantiate the actual brain drain (or reversal thereof) over the past few years. Actual immigration and/or census data as well as estimates based on immigration statistics are used in an effort to determine the magnitude of the brain drain. The findings, based on empirical data from 23 emigration destinations, clearly indicate that it is unlikely that a significant reversal of the brain drain has occurred since 2008. The results rather indicate that the brain drain has continued, albeit at a lower rate from 2010 onwards.

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This paper analyses the extent of the brain drain from South Africa since the turn of the century. Recent estimates by Adcorp suggest that the brain drain has reversed and that numerous highly-skilled South Africans have returned from overseas since the onset of the global financial crisis in 2008. New empirical evidence is presented in this paper to substantiate the actual brain drain (or reversal thereof) over the past few years. Actual immigration and/or census data as well as estimates based on immigration statistics are used in an effort to determine the magnitude of the brain drain. The findings, based on empirical data from 23 emigration destinations, clearly indicate that it is unlikely that a significant reversal of the brain drain has occurred since 2008. The results rather indicate that the brain drain has continued, albeit at a lower rate from 2010 onwards.

Published abstract. Show less