BRIEFS. education

Do the best and brightest stay in Panama?

Bloomberg News

Human capital:Some talented professionals stay in the country.1032483

Brain drain, the flight of trained and talented individuals to other nations because of conflicts, lack of opportunity, health hazards or for other reasons is a familiar problem in many developing countries. But apparently not in Panama.

According to the Panamanian consulting firm Goethals Consulting, Panama has the lowest level of brain drain in Latin America. But that’s only to say that less than 10 percent of the population with higher degrees in the areas of research and development leave the country permanently, according to the World Bank’s definition of the phenomena.

But what does that really mean for Panama, considering that only a small percentage of the total population holds a higher degree in research and development and that, of those who do, a considerable number opt to live and work abroad. Are those who return the best trained and the most talented?

Rick Rashid, senior vice presidente at Microsoft Research, says the return of well-trained professionals to their home countries depends on job opportunities and salary offers commensurate with their academic and professional achievements.