Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Brain drain refers to the emigration of highly skilled and educated individuals from one country to another, usually due to better job opportunities, higher salaries, or improved living conditions in the destination country.
Related terms
Brain Gain: Brain gain refers to the opposite of brain drain, where a country attracts highly skilled individuals from other countries through incentives such as research grants, job opportunities, or favorable immigration policies.
Human Capital Flight: Human capital flight is another term for brain drain and emphasizes the loss of valuable human resources from one country to another.
Reverse Brain Drain: Reverse brain drain occurs when highly skilled individuals return to their home country after gaining education or work experience abroad.