Brain drain (Polish perspective) Professor Tadeusz Truskolaski Mayor of Bialystok President of Interregional Group of Less Developed Regions

Themes of migration according to the World Bank Migration themes „Push” factors „Pull” factors Economic and demographic • poverty • unemployment • low wages • high birth rate • lack of basic medical care • deficiencies (problems) in the education system • higher pay prospects • prospects for improving the standard of living • personal or professional development Political • conflicts • violence • corruption • violation of human rights • sense of security • political freedom Social and cultural • discrimination based on ethnic and religious considerations • family reunion • migration to the country of ancestors • no discrimination

At the end of 2017, the average wage in Poland was PLN 4973 gross At the end of 2017, the average wage in Poland was PLN 4973 gross. Calculated, this amounts to EUR 1189. In countries that are popular destinations of Polish emigration, the average salary is still much higher - 3730 euros in Germany, 2957 euros in France, 2560 euros in Italy, 2482 euros in Great Britain and 2189 euros in Spain.

Three waves of emigration

First wave – political problems - 700,000 people left Poland in 1981-1988 Second wave – accession to the EU - 2004-2007 Third wave – economic and demographic problems - 2014-2016 Why are young people migrating today?

Causes of Polish emigration (2016, study: "Work Service") The main reasons according to the study: 1. Higher salary than in Poland - 77.8 percent 2. A higher standard of living - 58.9 percent 3. Opportunity to travel and explore the world - 44.0 percent 4. Better social conditions - 37.3 percent 5. Better career prospects - 35.7 percent 6. Lack of proper employment in Poland - 31.4 percent 7. More favorable tax system - 15.6 percent 8. Friendlier public administration - 11.7 percent 9. Safer geopolitical location - 11.4 percent 10. Family (relatives living or intending to live abroad) - 8.0 percent

Polish emigrant is at present usually a young person (18-34/37 years of age), childless a man more often than a woman from less urbanised regions migrates both to large cities as well as to the outskirts relatively well-educated performs work which does not call for high qualifications (a farmer, domestic helper, waiter, construction worker, chef, babysitter or elderly caretaker) carries out work calling for a narrow specialisation (dentist, surgeon, anaesthesiologist, massage therapist, IT specialist) transfers some of their earnings abroad

But brain drain does not occur only at the level of countries People migrate from regions to regions… for better education, work and salary… better places for living.

But capitals of regions are blue…

The consequences of migration are problems  not migration

What can we do to change this situation What can we do to change this situation? Maybe the discussion will help…

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