Brain drain and its sociological consequences: The case of Georgia

This research seeks to explore the motivations behind the emigration of highly qualified individuals from Georgia, the influential factors guiding their choice of destination countries, and the experiences they undergo during migration. Existing literature underscores that individuals in Georgia, equipped with advanced education and specialized skills, exhibit a tendency to seek employment opportunities abroad. This migration is driven by the pursuit of improved prospects, ongoing personal development, and the attainment of commensurate financial rewards. The current study has taken into account specific criteria, including Georgian origin, having at least a bachelor's degree, and the aspiration to engage in intellectually demanding roles abroad, conducting in-depth interviews through qualitative research methodologies. Brain drain poses a risk of slowing down development, particularly for small, sparsely populated, and developing countries, and Georgia is one of the countries facing this challenge. Data obtained in this context indicate that factors such as living conditions, working environment, salary levels, and political instability contribute to the migration of qualified labor from Georgia to affluent countries, negatively impacting Georgia's development. Additionally, it is observed that societal ethics and traditional values significantly influence the phenomenon of brain drain. Brain drain is a phenomenon that directly affects both destination and source countries and is shaped by the opportunities offered by destination countries. However, source countries need to develop policies to control this trend. In this context, the economic situation of destination countries and the development of skilled labor are intertwined with the weakening of source countries. One of Georgia's significant problems is being a country experiencing brain drain. Therefore, it is crucial to investigate the factors triggering brain drain in Georgia and develop solutions.