Economic Growth-Migration Nexus: An Analysis Based on Developing Countries

Relations between migration and economic growth have been shaped around both positivist and Non-positivist ideas in the economic literature. Approaches based on the Positivist argument mostly views the effect of migration on economic growth through the lens of human capital and brain drain while Non-positivist argument approaches the issue in terms of the negative effects of unqualified labor. On the other hand, increasing migration at the international level has been gaining importance since immigrants create socio-economic problems in both their native and destination countries. In this study, effects of migration, which constitutes and important problem both at the national and the international level, on economic growth were investigated in the light of these approaches. Relations between migration and economic growth in the developing countries were researched through panel data methods. According to the findings of the study, migration has a negative effect on economic growth. Therefore, it can be said that immigration of qualified human capital and brain drain has important consequences for the economic development of countries. This situation undoubtedly implies implementation of policies which directly affects the amount of investment to human capital.