China wants its diaspora back, though less than 1% ever emigrated
China, with an emigration rate below 1%, is seeking to repatriate its diaspora. Low birth rates (below Japan's) and a talent drain are driving the policy, but…
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
China's fight against brain drain: bringing home the few who left
China, with one of the lowest emigration rates in the world (less than 1% of its population), has launched campaigns to encourage its citizens abroad to return. By contrast, Spain hovers around 7%. Why make this effort when there is barely a diaspora? The answer points to ageing and falling birth rates, which have already pushed China below Japan in children per woman.
The Chinese government antiestéticars that the outflow of talent, though small in numbers, is draining valuable human capital. Moreover, the geopolitical context — with trade and technology tensions — creates an incentive to bring back professionals trained abroad. However, cultural barriers and the rigidity of China's social system make returning difficult, as visitors to the country point out. It is China's demographic paradox: they need more births and more returnees, but the formula is not simple.
In the short term, the number of returnees will probably remain low. But if birth rates do not recover, the pressure to bring emigrants back will intensify. China's bet is to recover what it never entirely lost.
China, with one of the lowest emigration rates in the world (less than 1% of its population), has launched campaigns to encourage its citizens abroad to return. By contrast, Spain hovers around 7%. Why make this effort when there is barely a diaspora? The answer points to ageing and falling birth rates, which have already pushed China below Japan in children per woman.
The Chinese government antiestéticars that the outflow of talent, though small in numbers, is draining valuable human capital. Moreover, the geopolitical context — with trade and technology tensions — creates an incentive to bring back professionals trained abroad. However, cultural barriers and the rigidity of China's social system make returning difficult, as visitors to the country point out. It is China's demographic paradox: they need more births and more returnees, but the formula is not simple.
In the short term, the number of returnees will probably remain low. But if birth rates do not recover, the pressure to bring emigrants back will intensify. China's bet is to recover what it never entirely lost.
Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (17 replies).
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