BRAIN DRAIN FROM THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA - TRENDS, IMPLICATIONS, POLICIES.

This article reviews the brain drain trends from the Republic of Macedonia and its implications in the last two decades. Since 2008, the Republic of Macedonia is in a group of the ten countries with most intensive brain drain. As for the brain drain impact the following conclusions can be drawn: Direct "brain drain" effects are manifested in the reduction of the economic growth and innovation capacity of the country due to the human capital decrease; The long-term unfavorable brain drain implications on the research and development are evident, particularly in terms of the availability of scientists and engineers and quality of scientific research institutions; Feedback effects also are unfavorable because return of the highly educated emigrants is very small and occasional; Brain drain rise is not accompanied by an increase in remittances, and there isn't significant impact on the diaspora and technology transfer; Brain drain accelerate the population and labor force ageing and the reduction of the reproductive population because of its family character and longevity. The article concludes with proposals for policy approaches towards a more systematic treatment and integrated approach of the pre-emigration measures by placing the emphasis on the retention of the tertiary educated population though educational sector policies and economic development, and post-emigration measures, particularly creation of diaspora networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]