Mexico Exporting Brains, Importing Problems

In the annals of migration, much has been written about the movement of labor from the impoverished Global South to the affluent North. It is a tragic story, one marred by desperation and economic necessity, where the marginalized and destitute from Latin America, Africa, and other developing regions flee their homelands in search of survival.

This mass exodus is often characterized by heart-wrenching images of families torn apart, communities hollowed out, and dreams deferred. Yet, there exists another, less visible diaspora—one that is neither driven by desperation nor marked by the same sense of loss. This is the selective, state-funded brain drain, where the brightest minds from these regions, enticed by the allure of high incomes and better living standards, leave their countries, often never to return.

The term “brain drain” is perhaps too antiseptic to capture the full gravity of this phenomenon. It is not merely a loss of talent; it is a hemorrhaging of intellectual capital that has been nurtured, often at great expense, by the very countries that can least afford to lose it. The Mexican government, through its National Council of Science and Technology (Conahcyt), has been keenly aware of this issue. Although recent data is scarce, Conahcyt reported that nearly 1.2 million Mexicans with university and postgraduate degrees emigrated between 1990 and 2015. Between 2015 and 2017, an additional 866,000 highly qualified Mexicans left the country, according to the OECD, in pursuit of better opportunities abroad.

However, the reality for many of these emigrants is far from the utopian vision that drove them to leave. While some may find work that aligns with their skills and training, many more are relegated to jobs in sectors far removed from their areas of expertise. Restaurants, hotels, supermarkets, and the construction industry have become the unexpected beneficiaries of this exodus of talent. The skills that were meant to advance technology, research, and innovation are instead being used to serve drinks, stock shelves, and lay bricks. It is a tragic irony that the very nations that invested in these individuals’ education and training are now subsidizing the economies of wealthier countries, without receiving anything in return.

The cost of this brain drain is staggering. In 2009, Mexican educational authorities estimated that the exodus of talent had cost the country more than 100 billion pesos. This figure represents more than just lost potential; it is a testament to the failure of the system to retain its brightest minds. For those who leave, there is often little sense of obligation to give back to the communities that supported them. After all, in a globalized free market, the individual’s pursuit of success often outweighs the collective good. This is particularly true in countries like Mexico, where education, by constitutional mandate, is free from the basic level through to the bachelor’s degree. In contrast, students in the United States often graduate with significant debt, a burden that ties them to the labor market and encourages them to stay within the country to repay it.

Yet, for all the talk of opportunity abroad, the reality for recent Mexican graduates is stark. Faced with a lack of opportunities, low salaries, and the ever-present threat of insecurity, many choose to leave the country. Compounding this problem is the lack of entrepreneurial spirit among young graduates, who are often unwilling to take the risks associated with self-employment. Instead, they prefer to enter established fields of research and innovation—fields that are often more accessible abroad than at home.

It is a cruel irony that while Mexico struggles to retain its talent, its brightest young minds are making significant contributions to foreign economies. Mexican researchers are at NASA, and according to Sofía García-Bullé from the Monterrey Technological Observatory, 21 percent of Silicon Valley’s human capital is made up of Mexicans. These individuals, who could have been driving innovation and development in their homeland, are instead fueling the success of other nations.

For decades, there has been discussion and debate on how to reverse this trend. CONACYT and other organizations have proposed various initiatives to repatriate Mexican talent or at least retain it. Yet, these efforts have often been hampered by a lack of coordination between universities, research centers, and industries. The need for a real link between these entities has been recognized, but the synergy required to make it a reality has remained elusive.

In contrast, American industries have no such worries. They do not need to invest in the formation of a critical mass of talent because other nations are doing it for them. Numerous recruiting firms and law firms are dedicated to poaching the best and brightest from countries like Mexico. These organizations offer selective opportunities in fields such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), as well as for entrepreneurs looking to start businesses in the United States. They advertise themselves as being committed to assisting “professionals of national interest to the US” in obtaining permanent residency, often without the need for a job offer or sponsorship from an employer.

The brain drain is thus not merely a passive phenomenon; it is actively encouraged and facilitated by the very nations that stand to benefit from it. The United States is not alone in this practice; England, for example, has been known to target highly skilled professionals from Spain and other European countries.

The question that remains is how long this state-funded diaspora can continue before the sending countries collapse under the weight of their own generosity. How long can nations like Mexico afford to educate and train their young, only to see them leave for greener pastures? And what will be left for those who remain behind?

In the end, the brain drain is not just a problem for the countries that lose their talent. It is a global issue, one that threatens to exacerbate the inequalities between rich and poor nations. If the current trend continues, we may find ourselves living in a world where the rich get richer, not just in terms of wealth, but also in terms of knowledge and innovation, while the poor are left to languish in a perpetual state of underdevelopment.

It is time for a new approach, one that recognizes the value of intellectual capital and seeks to protect it, not just for the benefit of individual nations, but for the good of humanity as a whole. The future depends not on the ability to attract talent, but on the ability to nurture and retain it where it is most needed.

A State-Funded Diaspora

In the national development, few steps are as crucial as those that nurture science and technology. These fields are the engines of innovation, the crucibles where new ideas are forged, and the bedrock upon which a nation’s future prosperity is built. Yet, in Mexico, this process is becoming increasingly unbalanced. A stark paradox is emerging: while the government invests heavily in educating and training brilliant minds, these minds often find their way abroad, drawn by opportunities that simply don’t exist at home. Meanwhile, the private sector, which should be a key partner in this endeavor, remains largely disengaged. The result? A state-funded diaspora of talent and a scientific community that is increasingly disconnected from the needs and opportunities of its homeland.

Mexico’s public sector, for all its financial limitations, has made significant investments in the education and training of scientists and engineers. Over the past 18 years, the country has poured a staggering 276 billion pesos into supporting students, many of whom have gone on to pursue postgraduate studies abroad. This figure is more than just a number; it represents years of effort, dreams, and the hope that these students would one day return to contribute to their homeland’s progress.

However, the reality is far more complex. Many of these highly qualified individuals choose not to return, finding better opportunities in countries that have the infrastructure, resources, and, crucially, the private sector investment that Mexico lacks. The government’s investment, though well-intentioned, often seems like coins thrown into a fountain—wishes made with little chance of fulfillment.

The crux of the issue lies not just in the government’s efforts but in the private sector’s conspicuous absence from the equation. In Mexico, only 20 percent of the investment in science and technology comes from the private sector. This is in stark contrast to countries like the United States and China, where private investment often exceeds 50 percent. This disparity is not just a statistic; it is a reflection of a broader cultural and structural issue.

The private sector’s reticence to invest in science and technology stems from a variety of factors, including risk aversion, short-term profit focus, and perhaps a lack of understanding of the long-term benefits of such investments. Without the active participation of the private sector, the burden falls disproportionately on the government, which is already stretched thin by other obligations. As noted by García-Bullé, “it is not sustainable for the government alone to have the economic burden of maintaining, encouraging, and offering opportunities to science professionals.”

This situation is exacerbated by the lack of a coherent structure that could bridge the gap between universities, companies, and the government. Such a structure is essential to creating a labor market oriented towards technological and scientific progress. Without it, any investment—no matter how substantial—risks being ineffective, much like attempting to irrigate a desert without first laying down the necessary infrastructure.

A Question of Structure, Not Budget

The phenomenon of brain drain is often discussed in terms of budget and resources, but the underlying issue is one of structure. Mexico’s current system does not provide the necessary incentives or opportunities for its brightest minds to stay. This is not just a matter of money; it is about creating an environment where scientific and technological innovation can flourish. It is about ensuring that those who have been educated and trained at great expense are able to apply their knowledge in ways that benefit their country.

The liberalism that has permeated the student community, encouraging a global outlook and a desire for mobility, is not inherently negative. In fact, it reflects a world where knowledge and talent are increasingly borderless. However, without a corresponding commitment to their home communities, this liberalism can lead to a situation where the best and brightest contribute to the progress of other nations while Mexico is left behind.

The solution to this complex problem lies in fostering a true partnership between the public and private sectors. The government cannot—and should not—bear the burden alone. Private companies must be encouraged, and perhaps even incentivized, to invest in science and technology. This could be achieved through tax incentives, public-private partnerships, or by creating innovation hubs that bring together researchers, entrepreneurs, and investors.

Moreover, there needs to be a concerted effort to create a structure that connects universities, companies, and the government. This would not only help retain talent but also ensure that scientific and technological advancements are aligned with the country’s needs. It would create a vibrant labor market where scientists and engineers can find meaningful work that not only advances their careers but also contributes to national development.

In conclusion, Mexico’s current approach to science and technology investment is unsustainable. The government’s significant contributions are undermined by the private sector’s lack of participation and the absence of a coherent structure to support innovation. To reverse the brain drain and ensure that Mexico reaps the benefits of its investment in education, a new strategy is needed—one that involves joint investment, structural reform, and a renewed commitment to building a future where science and technology are at the forefront of national progress. Only then can Mexico hope to retain its talent and harness the full potential of its brightest minds.

In-text Citation: (Bahena, 2024, pp. 20-23)