The international mobility of researchers: recent trends and policy initiatives

1. The international mobility of researchers: recent trends and policy initiatives Ester Basri Science and Technology Policy Division Contact: ester.basri@oecd.org

2. Outline • Why is international mobility important? • Why is international mobility increasing? • Where are the highly skilled moving? • What are the motives of researchers? • How are policy makers responding?

3. Data issues • Significant attempts to improve data on students, migration, foreign PhDs and HRST generally • This presentation draws on the latest data • However, continuing data problems, especially on migration and researchers

4. Why is international mobility an important policy issue? • Human resources in science and technology (HRST) are critical to innovation and growth • R&D expenditure and demand for HRST is growing • International mobility is growing rapidly • International mobility is not just a supply issue – it facilitates knowledge diffusion and catch-up development

5. Demand – HRST occupations growing faster than employment Average annual growth rate HRST occupations and total employment, %, 1995-2004

6. Strong growth in researchers and R&D personnel Average annual growth rate, %, 1995-2005,

7. Maintaining capability • Demand for researchers and HRST is expected to increase further • Total OECD R&D expenditure reached USD 726 billion in 2004, average annual increase almost 10% from 2000 • Demand is also driven by demographic changes • Supply is affected by the attractiveness of research careers

8. A large proportion of expatriates are highly-skilled Expatriates as a % of all native-born, OECD, 2001

9. But differences across the OECD Distribution of expatriates by skill level and country of origin, 2001

10. Expatriates concentrated in US, EU Canada and Australia Shares of highly-skilled immigrants in the OECD, 2001

11. Almost one-third intra-OECD mobility Highly skilled migrants by OECD country of residence, 2001, as % of highly skilled natives

12. Some OECD countries have high proportions of foreign PhDs Foreign-born doctoral holders as % of total doctoral holders, by OECD country of residence, 2001

13. Tertiary education has internationalised - 0.6 million students in 1975 to 2.7 million in 2004 Distribution of foreign students by country of destination, 2004

14. Why are researchers mobile? • Employment related • Better employment opportunities, professional development, career advancement • Access to scientific infrastructure & research funding • Personal reasons • Family-related, lifestyle

15. Policy options to foster international mobility • Policy initiatives now involve coordinated and explicit strategies across ministerial portfolios • Initiatives include economic incentives, immigration programmes, support mechanisms (housing, language training etc)

16. Main messages • The global demand for talent has become increasingly competitive • This is likely to continue and may accelerate since opportunities are improving across countries • Policies cannot simply focus on monetary incentives – HRST and researchers are attracted by wider support for science and innovation

17. Moving forward • Need for data improvements • Major questions on how international mobility relates to domestic capacity-building • Need for better understanding of optimal mobility rates