brain drain

American  

Or brain-drain

noun

1. a loss of trained professional personnel to another company, nation, etc., that offers greater opportunity.

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brain drain British  

noun

1. informal the emigration of scientists, technologists, academics, etc, for better pay, equipment, or conditions

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brain drain Idioms  

1. The departure of educated or talented persons for better pay or jobs elsewhere, as in The repression of free speech in Germany triggered a brain drain to Britain and America. The term originated about 1960, when many British scientists and intellectuals emigrated to the United States for a better working climate.

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Etymology

Origin of brain drain

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

Medics and analysts say Nigeria has a very low doctor-patient ratio, worsened by a massive "brain drain" as health professionals emigrate after being enticed by better working conditions abroad.

From BBC

Longer term, Greenland faces challenges familiar to many Western economies, including an aging population and a brain drain as educated locals pursue careers in Denmark.

From The Wall Street Journal

Plus, there’s been somewhat of a “brain drain” from Apple’s AI ecosystem, Favuzza added.

From MarketWatch

Some non-approvals owe to manufacturing problems, but another culprit is an agency brain drain.

From The Wall Street Journal

Unemployment in major cities stands at 35 percent and graduates are looking elsewhere, fuelling a lucrative brain drain market.

From Barron's