[en] In this paper, we revisit the impact of skilled emigration on human cap-
ital accumulation using new panel data covering 147 countries on the period
1975-2000. We derive testable predictions from a stylized theoretical model and
test them in dynamic regression models. Our empirical analysis predicts con-
ditional convergence of human capital indicators. Our ndings also reveal that
skilled migration prospects foster human capital accumulation in low-income
countries. In these countries, a net brain gain can be obtained if the skilled
emigration rate is not too large (i.e. does not exceed 20 to 30 percent depend-
ing on other country characteristics). On the contrary, we find no evidence
of a signi ficant incentive mechanism in middle-income and, unsuprisingly, in
high-income countries.
Disciplines :
International economics
Identifiers :
UNILU:UL-ARTICLE-2012-236
Author, co-author :
Beine, Michel ; University of Luxembourg > Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance (FDEF) > Center for Research in Economic Analysis (CREA)
Defoort, Cécily; University of Lille 2
Docquier, Frederic; Université Catholique de Louvain
