An assessment of the causes and implications of brain drain on South Africa’s socio-economic development: the case study of the Higher Education and Health Sectors
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Date
2017
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Publisher
University of Zululand
Abstract
Countries around the world have continuously invested billions in educating their citizens, with the hope that the skills and knowledge acquired through education will help increase the country’s productivity and contribute to the sustainability of economic growth. But over the years, globalization has resulted in the increase in the demand and competition for skilled workers around the world. In South Africa, the higher education and health sector have been adversely affected by emigrating skilled professionals; South Africa is characterized by high levels of brain drain owing to many socio-economic factors. Fortunately for South Africa, highly skilled foreign nationals (especially from Africa) have continued to view South Africa a favourable destination. This study aims to assess the causes and implications of brain drain and how it has affected South Africa’s socio-economic development with reference to the health and higher education sectors. The main research problem focused on what causes South Africans to migrate; the pull and push factors, and what has been the implication for South Africa’s socio-economic development. Using secondary data, the study combed through various sources of information pertaining to the theme of the study, various sources such as, books, Journals, online accredited publications where used to garner the data needed for the successful completion of the study. Results indicated that the push factors driving South Africans to migrate include: increased crime levels, lack of law and order, government corruption and better economic opportunities offered in other countries. The study also found that skilled foreign nationals (Mainly from Africa) have contributed extensively to the socio- economic development of the country. The study also suggested that, government together with civil society need to come together to devise strategies on how to reduce brain drain in the country, to achieve this, the study suggests, the development of a South African green card lottery program, an increase in investments and funding for higher education, the training of competent health workers, A comprehensible immigration policy and an Increase in public-private collaboration maybe some ways which can help fight brain drain in South Africa.
Description
A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Administration in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master Of Administration (Public Administration) in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration at the University Of Zululand, 2017
Keywords
skills and knowledge development --sustainability --productivity --emigrations --skilled force --South Africa