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

The brain drain has been catastrophic at the department, which is engulfed in personnel chaos.

From Salon

Experts also point to a low level of innovation and research spending, among the lowest in the EU, and relatively low pay for scientists, contributing to a "brain drain".

From Barron's

Like much of Europe, it has a rapidly ageing population, compounded by long-running brain drain as many working-age citizens have left to seek opportunities abroad.

From The Wall Street Journal

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