Analyzing the Economic Impact of Brain Drain and Migration in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Brain drain and migration have been a global phenomenon that has significant economic implications. In Sri Lanka, it has been observed that skilled professionals started migrat- ing to developed nations due to many reasons. This has a significant influence on the economy of Sri Lanka in both direct and indirect ways. This study employs a combined methodology - a systematic review of literature over a period of 22 years (2000 − 2022) and thematic analysis has been used to analyze the in-depth interview data. The analyzed results show that skilled migration has increased. According to the results, it has been identified that some of the most common reasons for this issue is political instability, lack of job opportunities, poor living conditions, imbalance between skilled migrants’ home country and the host country’s earnings and, tax policy changes.