Brain Drain, Waste or Gain? What We Know About the Kenyan Case

Journal of Global Initiatives: Policy, Pedagogy, Perspective, Vol. 2, No. 2, pp. 113-129

25 Pages Posted: 6 Apr 2008 Last revised: 8 May 2011

See all articles by Ruth Uwaifo Oyelere

Ruth Uwaifo Oyelere

Agnes Scott College; IZA Institute of Labor Economics

Date Written: May 4, 2011

Abstract

Over the last three decades, Kenya and many other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) have experienced rapid emigration to the developed world. The general view is that emigration from developing countries has led to brain drain and brain waste. However, recent research from Mexico provides evidence of significant gains from emigration. This recent finding highlights the importance of looking at individual countries' diasporas. In this review paper, I focus on trends in the Kenyan diaspora. More importantly, I summarize the literature and data on Kenya with respect to issues of brain drain and waste. Based on present evidence, I find that Kenya has experienced significant brain drain and waste. However, both the rate of brain drain and brain waste are on the decline for Kenya.

Keywords: Kenya, Immigration, Brain Drain

JEL Classification: J61, O1

Suggested Citation

Uwaifo Oyelere, Ruth, Brain Drain, Waste or Gain? What We Know About the Kenyan Case (May 4, 2011). Journal of Global Initiatives: Policy, Pedagogy, Perspective, Vol. 2, No. 2, pp. 113-129, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1116701

Ruth Uwaifo Oyelere (Contact Author)

Agnes Scott College ( email )

141 E. College Ave
Decatur, GA 30030
United States

IZA Institute of Labor Economics

P.O. Box 7240
Bonn, D-53072
Germany