The Socioeconomic Consequences of Brain Drain and Migration in Sri Lanka: A Comprehensive Literature Analysis

Abstract

Over the years brain drain has given risen to a lasting imprint on the economy of Sri Lanka, which has resulted variouse consequenses. Currently educated professionals from various sectors are migrating to developed countries at an increasing rate. This study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding on the factors influence skill migration in Sri Lanka. This study utilizes a comprehensive systematic review of past literature over the period of 22 years (2000- 2022). The findings of this study demonstrate that migration of skilled professionals has been increased up to 2022 and how social, economic, and political factors affected migration. Some identified examples for economic factors that influence skill migration are better working opportunites, higher wages and higher living standards. Some identified social factors are political violence and better facilities like health and educational services. Increasing income tax rate and loss of liberty are some recgonized political factors that affect skill migration. Some of the studies have argued that there are positive concequences of skill migration in Sri Lanka, while some other studies have brought up arguments that negative impacts of skill migration take over the positive impacts.