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

3. 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

5. 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 In countries that are popular destinations of Polish emigration, the average salary is still much higher euros in Germany, 2957 euros in France, 2560 euros in Italy, 2482 euros in Great Britain and 2189 euros in Spain.

6. Three waves of emigration

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

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

9. 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

10. 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.

12. But capitals of regions are blue…

14. The consequences of migration are problems  not migration

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

16. Thank you for attention!
City Office in Białystok Adress: Białystok, Słonimska street no. 1, Poland Phone:
In case of technical questions (about presentation):
Mr Kamil Waligóra Departament Prezydenta Miasta Urząd Miejski w Białymstoku ul. Słonimska 1, Białystok tel kom