1. 1 The international mobility of researchers: recent trends and policy initiatives Ester Basri Science and Technology Policy Division Contact: ester.basri@oecd.org

2. 2 Outline Why is international mobility important? Why is international mobility increasing? Where are the highly skilled moving? What are the motives of researchers? How are policy makers responding?

3. 3 Data issues Significant attempts to improve data on students, migration, foreign PhDs and HRST generally This presentation draws on the latest data However, continuing data problems, especially on migration and researchers

4. 4 Why is international mobility an important policy issue? Human resources in science and technology (HRST) are critical to innovation and growth R&D expenditure and demand for HRST is growing International mobility is growing rapidly International mobility is not just a supply issue – it facilitates knowledge diffusion and catch-up development

5. 5 Demand – HRST occupations growing faster than employment Average annual growth rate HRST occupations and total employment, %, 1995-2004

6. 6 Strong growth in researchers and R&D personnel Average annual growth rate, %, 1995-2005,

7. 7 Maintaining capability Demand for researchers and HRST is expected to increase further –Total OECD R&D expenditure reached USD 726 billion in 2004, average annual increase almost 10% from 2000 Demand is also driven by demographic changes Supply is affected by the attractiveness of research careers

8. 8 A large proportion of expatriates are highly-skilled Expatriates as a % of all native-born, OECD, 2001

9. 9 But differences across the OECD Distribution of expatriates by skill level and country of origin, 2001

10. 10 Expatriates concentrated in US, EU Canada and Australia Shares of highly-skilled immigrants in the OECD, 2001

11. 11 Almost one-third intra-OECD mobility Highly skilled migrants by OECD country of residence, 2001, as % of highly skilled natives

12. 12 Some OECD countries have high proportions of foreign PhDs Foreign-born doctoral holders as % of total doctoral holders, by OECD country of residence, 2001

13. 13 Tertiary education has internationalised - 0.6 million students in 1975 to 2.7 million in 2004 Distribution of foreign students by country of destination, 2004

14. 14 Why are researchers mobile? Employment related –Better employment opportunities, professional development, career advancement Access to scientific infrastructure & research funding Personal reasons –Family-related, lifestyle

15. 15 Policy options to foster international mobility Policy initiatives now involve coordinated and explicit strategies across ministerial portfolios Initiatives include economic incentives, immigration programmes, support mechanisms (housing, language training etc)

16. 16 Main messages The global demand for talent has become increasingly competitive This is likely to continue and may accelerate since opportunities are improving across countries Policies cannot simply focus on monetary incentives – HRST and researchers are attracted by wider support for science and innovation

17. 17 Moving forward Need for data improvements Major questions on how international mobility relates to domestic capacity- building Need for better understanding of optimal mobility rates