The debate about migration and development has swung back and forth like a pendulum, from optimism in the postwar period to deep 'brain drain' pessimism since the 1970s towards neo-optimistic 'brain gain' since 2000. Influenced by growing policy disappointment, we might now be at the beginning of a backswing towards more pessimistic views. While these shifts are rooted in deeper ideological and paradigmatic shifts, a review of empirical evidence yields a much more nuanced picture.
Special issue of International Migration journal on migration and development
Publication
5 June 2012
IMI Co-Director Hein de Haas has contributed an article to this special issue which critically reviews research and policy related to migration and development