http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110410/ap_on_bi_ge/eu_europe_brain_drain
QuoteSpain and Portugal have for decades lured poor immigrants from their former colonies. Now, in a historic role reversal, these one-time empire builders are seeing legions of frustrated young people head to old dominions in quest of a better life.
Europe's ruinous debt crisis and job-sapping economic miseries are reshaping migration trends, with a generation of home-grown talent grabbing at the chance of economic rewards on continents once treated with disdain.
Portuguese are packing their bags for booming Angola and Mozambique in Africa, and for emerging economic powerhouse Brazil, where there is a shortage of engineers to prepare the country for the 2014 World Cup and 2016 summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Spaniards are being drawn to their former colonies in Latin America.
While analysts say the true scale of the new migration is still hard to determine because official statistics lag behind trends, anecdotal evidence and fragmentary data point to what's going on.
Portugal's Emigration Observatory says the number of Portuguese registered at consulates in Brazil jumped from 678,822 in 2009 to 705,615 the following year. In Angola, the number went from almost 57,000 in 2008 to just over 74,500 in 2009. The number of Mozambican residence permits granted to Portuguese in 2010, meanwhile, was up almost 13 percent on the previous year, to nearly 12,000.
Spanish electoral registers show around 30,000 Spaniards moved to Argentina between June 2009 and November 2010 — an 11 percent increase over that period. Some 6,400 went to Chile — a jump of 24 percent in the same timeframe — and 6,800 headed for Uruguay, an increase of 16 percent.
In Spain, where one in five are out of work, opportunities in Latin America have become a magnet for those whose career hopes are thwarted by a grinding recession.
"The emerging markets are where it's happening, that's where the jobs are," says Jorge Borges, a 35-year-old Portuguese civil engineer.
Disheartened by bleak career prospects in Portugal, whose crippling debt crisis pushed it this week to seek a bailout like Greece and Ireland, Borges crossed the border five years ago and tapped into Spain's building boom.
Then the overleveraged Spanish economy also collapsed, and Borges recently lost his job. Now he wants to move on again, but Europe's wretched economies are not an option — and his online job hunt is targeting vacancies in Brazil and Angola, distant Portuguese-speaking countries.
"The first chance I get, I'm going overseas," Borges said from Zaragoza, Spain, where he is awaiting the call to go abroad.
Brazil in particular is a magnet. The Latin American giant is recruiting foreign civil engineers and architects to meet demand for major public works projects, including more than $200 billion — close to Portugal's annual GDP — in energy infrastructure. Brazil's economy grew 7.5 percent in 2010, the highest growth rate since 1986, and is expected to expand by more than 5 percent a year through 2014.
"The big drive is to Brazil," Carlos Matias Ramos, president of Portugal's national association of engineers, says of recent emigration among his members. He adds: "They're mostly young people."
Spain is struggling to overcome nearly two years of recession triggered by the collapse of a real estate bubble. In Portugal, a decade of scrawny growth drove unemployment to a record 11.2 percent last year and left it saddled with monumental debts.
Ireland and Greece, other debt-stressed countries that took bailouts last year, as well as more robust France and Italy, also report they are bleeding talent as young globe-trotters take flight.
"The first to leave (in a crisis) are always the ones with the most marketable skills," says Demetrios Papademetriou, the president of the nonprofit Migration Policy Institute in Washington, D.C. who also chairs the World Economic Forum's migration task force.
Smart, creative and dynamic graduates provide vital fuel to stoke national economies, and the flight of this generation is "one of the most consequential byproducts of the (European) crisis," according to Papademetriou.
He says he has warned Europe's political leaders that the brain drain demands just as much attention as fiscal measures devised to reduce the crushing national debt at the heart of the continent's current troubles.
"They are losing the people who can get them either out of the crisis long-term or who will be needed to start and fuel the recovery," Papademetriou said in a telephone interview.
Spanish architect Xavier Casas may be one of those people. He gave up his business in Barcelona a year ago after work dried up and moved with his Argentine wife Luciana to Rafaela, a town 530 kilometers north of Buenos Aires.
"We're working flat out now," the 31-year-old said, adding that he encountered a continent that "is really thriving."
Marta Lopez-Tappero, a migration expert at the Adecco international recruitment agency in Madrid, says Latin America has become a modern day El Dorado for Spaniards.
Lopez-Tappero profiles the typical Spaniard looking for a job in Latin America: male, aged 25-35, and highly qualified, especially in engineering, architecture or information technology.
In a rare public comment on Spain's economic difficulties, King Juan Carlos chose to highlight the graduates' predicament in a recent ceremony where he handed out scholarships for foreign study programs.
"I sincerely hope and wish that when your time comes to return home there are more jobs for you and that you can stay here because we really need you at the moment in Spain," the monarch told the assembled students.
Portugal's low-voltage economy can't absorb the best-educated generation in its history.
More than 60,000 graduates are idle in their prime. Many more are in low-pay, dead-end jobs.
A recent song by pop group Deolinda set young people's grievances to music and went viral online as it struck a chord with a generation. The song, called "What a fool I am," lists their gripes, including being stuck at home with their parents despite investing years to polish their CVs.
One group of twenty-something graduates turned the music into a battle cry. Through a Facebook page they organized national protest marches last month, and more than 100,000 turned out in a dozen Portuguese cities.
"Not taking advantage of our generation ... is national suicide," says 25-year-old Alexandre Carvalho, one of the organizers.
Carvalho and his co-organizers want to pursue careers in Portugal but, he says, "it's hard to stay. We'll probably end up going abroad."
Many Portuguese despair of their country of 10.6 million people, long one of the continent's poorest, ever attaining average European standards of income. The past decade has delivered anemic economic growth of less than 1 percent a year. And an EU survey in February found that only 5 percent of Portuguese expect their standard of living to improve over the next 12 months.
Alvaro Santos Pereira, a researcher at Canada's Simon Fraser University, estimates that between 1998 and 2008 some 700,000 Portuguese left their country. Many headed to two of the world's top 10 fastest-growing countries — Portuguese-speaking Angola and Mozambique.
Margarida Marques, a sociology lecturer at Lisbon's New University who studies post-colonial migration trends, says Angola, which produces 20 percent of the world's diamonds and is using billions in oil revenue to rebuild after an almost three-decade civil war following the departure of Portugal's colonial administration, is also sucking in skilled Portuguese labor.
Marques shares the story of a former student who several years ago set up a recruitment agency that takes Portuguese to the southwest African country.
"He's rich now," she says. "There's a lot of demand."
Bernardo Marques, a 32-year-old electrical engineer, moved to the Angolan capital Luanda a year ago, lured by a monthly salary four times what he was making in Portugal.
Like many emigrants around the world, he's ready to sacrifice a few years away from home to save a nest egg that will allow him to buy a house and set up his own company when he returns.
For that, he's willing to put up with African hardships — the stench of open sewers, the potholed roads, the extortionate prices for shabby apartments, and being confronted daily by evidence of what he calls "shocking" poverty.
Being far from home is bearable, he says, because there are so many other Portuguese there, gathering at Luanda's new shopping malls and upscale restaurants.
"In some places it's like being in Portugal," he says.
I hadn't realized the situation was so bad that Africa looked like a good alternative. :o
Also, not exactly sure why the url highlights this as a "brain drain".
It's all part of the narrative.
St. Thomas and St. Croix definitely are warmer than Denmark or Norway... :hmm:
Quote from: Norgy on April 10, 2011, 11:53:03 AM
St. Thomas and St. Croix definitely are warmer than Denmark or Norway... :hmm:
Do they speak potato there?
I believe they speak nominal English.
Better than Polynominal.
Hasn't that always been the lure of (temporarily) settling in the colonies? The prospect of making a quick buck or having a higher standard of living than you could back home? Europeans have been doing that for 500 years...
Quote from: Norgy on April 10, 2011, 11:53:03 AM
St. Thomas and St. Croix definitely are warmer than Denmark or Norway... :hmm:
If you don't mind the Hurricanes destroying your house every couple years they rock.
Quote from: garbon on April 10, 2011, 10:28:44 AM
I hadn't realized the situation was so bad that Africa looked like a good alternative. :o
Also, not exactly sure why the url highlights this as a "brain drain".
Just because things are bad for the natives does not mean there are not opportunities ;).
Anyway economic collapse leads people to move? Hardly shocking.
I have noticed more Brits in America lately.
The British are coming! The British are coming!
I blame Tina Brown.
I'd wager the increase in Spaniards living in Latinamerica is simply due to natives who came to Spain during the boom, obtained citizenship and are now returning.
I know quite a few people who have left, but the overwhelming majority went to other EU countries (UK, The Netherlands, Germany, Denmark).
I see no reason to go to Poland, Russia or Mallorca.
Shame our old colonies tend to be rather dull :(
I'd like to see Belgians go back to the Congo.
Quote from: Tyr on April 11, 2011, 04:32:06 AM
Shame our old colonies tend to be rather dull :(
:hmm:
There's a pretty extensive selection, or are you just thinking of the white Dominions?
Quote from: Richard Hakluyt on April 11, 2011, 06:03:50 AM
Quote from: Tyr on April 11, 2011, 04:32:06 AM
Shame our old colonies tend to be rather dull :(
:hmm:
There's a pretty extensive selection, or are you just thinking of the white Dominions?
Yes, that does seem odd seeing as you'd have most of the world to choose from.
Quote from: Syt on April 11, 2011, 02:44:45 AM
I see no reason to go to Poland, Russia or Mallorca.
You already left for one of our former colonies. :P
I'm not interested in going to the Philippines. And we still can't seem to get rid of Puerto Rico.
Quote from: Tyr on April 11, 2011, 04:32:06 AM
Shame our old colonies tend to be rather dull :(
:mad:
Anyway, if I was Portuguese I'd definitely leave for Brazil. Carnival in Rio Y'ALL :punk:
Quote from: Richard Hakluyt on April 11, 2011, 06:03:50 AM
:hmm:
There's a pretty extensive selection, or are you just thinking of the white Dominions?
Well, mostly the white dominions with the dullness yes.
But then in the Carribean I'd be shot, in Africa I'd be stabbed and in India die of diorreah.
I've heard good stuff about Malaysia though...
But still. Its not quite as exciting as latin America seems.
My friend Aimee frets about the upcoming presidential elections over in France. I might have to offer her a spot in the Wolf's Lair.
Quote from: Tyr on April 11, 2011, 09:23:36 AM
Quote from: Richard Hakluyt on April 11, 2011, 06:03:50 AM
:hmm:
There's a pretty extensive selection, or are you just thinking of the white Dominions?
Well, mostly the white dominions with the dullness yes.
But then in the Carribean I'd be shot, in Africa I'd be stabbed and in India die of diorreah.
I've heard good stuff about Malaysia though...
But still. Its not quite as exciting as latin America seems.
You are very stupid.
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 11, 2011, 09:26:46 AM
My friend Aimee frets about the upcoming presidential elections over in France. I might have to offer her a spot in the Wolf's Lair.
You're friends with a Frenchman? Race traitor! :mad:
Quote from: Caliga on April 11, 2011, 09:46:17 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 11, 2011, 09:26:46 AM
My friend Aimee frets about the upcoming presidential elections over in France. I might have to offer her a spot in the Wolf's Lair.
You're friends with a Frenchman? Race traitor! :mad:
Hey, she ain't Dutch. Nothing worse than the dutch.
:huh:
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 11, 2011, 09:26:46 AM
My friend Aimee frets about the upcoming presidential elections over in France. I might have to offer her a spot in the Wolf's Lair.
Because the National Front might win?
Quote from: JonasSalk on April 11, 2011, 10:24:11 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 11, 2011, 09:26:46 AM
My friend Aimee frets about the upcoming presidential elections over in France. I might have to offer her a spot in the Wolf's Lair.
Because the National Front might win?
Yep. She also doesn't like the socialists. Strauss something.
Quote from: Zanza2 on April 11, 2011, 08:43:44 AM
Quote from: Syt on April 11, 2011, 02:44:45 AM
I see no reason to go to Poland, Russia or Mallorca.
You already left for one of our former colonies. :P
:P
Quote from: Caliga on April 11, 2011, 09:16:54 AM
Anyway, if I was Portuguese I'd definitely leave for Brazil. Carnival in Rio Y'ALL :punk:
Carnival with the BOPE is a hell of a party indeed. :lol:
You know your country is fucked up when you decide to leave for a better life in ANGOLA. :lol:
Angola should be fine as long as the Province of Cabinda is avoided entirely. :)
Quote from: MadImmortalMan on April 11, 2011, 12:29:03 PM
You know your country is fucked up when you decide to leave for a better life in ANGOLA. :lol:
:huh:
I'm pretty sure there are American engineers in Angola and similar places. That doesn't necessarily mean the US is a shitty country.
Quote from: Caliga on April 11, 2011, 12:54:45 PM
Angola should be fine as long as the Province of Cabinda is avoided entirely. :)
Impossible if you're into petroleum ;)
Quote from: Iormlund on April 10, 2011, 06:21:36 PM
I'd wager the increase in Spaniards living in Latinamerica is simply due to natives who came to Spain during the boom, obtained citizenship and are now returning.
I know quite a few people who have left, but the overwhelming majority went to other EU countries (UK, The Netherlands, Germany, Denmark).
You'd think that, but based on anecdotal evidence from my in-laws there are apparently a lot more real Spaniards living in Argentina now than there have been for a long time (whether or not they have permanently relocated is another question). I've only spoken with a handful of Spaniards in my visits down there, but it's refreshing to hear someone speak the language like it was meant to be spoken :)
Quote from: Caliga on April 11, 2011, 09:16:54 AM
Anyway, if I was Portuguese I'd definitely leave for Brazil. Carnival in Rio Y'ALL :punk:
Enjoy breathing that AIDS air.
Quote from: Tyr on April 11, 2011, 09:23:36 AM
Quote from: Richard Hakluyt on April 11, 2011, 06:03:50 AM
:hmm:
There's a pretty extensive selection, or are you just thinking of the white Dominions?
Well, mostly the white dominions with the dullness yes.
But then in the Carribean I'd be shot, in Africa I'd be stabbed and in India die of diorreah.
I've heard good stuff about Malaysia though...
But still. Its not quite as exciting as latin America seems.
If you love Latin America so much you have Belize and Guyana.
Quote from: Razgovory on April 11, 2011, 09:09:10 AM
I'm not interested in going to the Philippines. And we still can't seem to get rid of Puerto Rico.
The Philippines are awesome man.
Quote from: Valmy on April 11, 2011, 11:32:09 PM
If you love Latin America so much you have Belize and Guyana.
Carribean cultured rather than latin american.
Apparently.
Quote from: Tyr on April 11, 2011, 04:32:06 AM
Shame our old colonies tend to be rather dull :(
WTF? Add in the entirety of the United States and that's literally 30% of the Earth?
Quote from: jimmy olsen on April 12, 2011, 01:19:57 AM
Quote from: Razgovory on April 11, 2011, 09:09:10 AM
I'm not interested in going to the Philippines. And we still can't seem to get rid of Puerto Rico.
The Philippines are awesome man.
I'm sure you like them, but I am fat and humid jungles are not my thing.
Being decapitated by Muslim rebels ain't my thing, personally. :)
I don't like latin american culture.
They are far too religious for my taste.
They are like 99.99% catholic and still think jews are evil.
I like Spain and Portugal, though.
I see a huge diference between their mediterranean culture and the latinamerican culture of their old colonial possessions.
Antarctica, Spitsbergen, Bouvet Island... yeah, I am not going anytime soon.
I hear Spitsbergen is nice this time of year...
Quote from: Siege on April 13, 2011, 02:21:14 PM
I don't like latin american culture.
They are far too religious for my taste.
They are like 99.99% catholic and still think jews are evil.
I like Spain and Portugal, though.
I see a huge diference between their mediterranean culture and the latinamerican culture of their old colonial possessions.
Don't know about the rest, but Brazil is pretty good on the jewish angle. They'll kill ya and rob you, but for a whole host of other reasons besides you being jewish.
Quote from: Barrister on April 13, 2011, 02:26:15 PM
I hear Spitsbergen is nice this time of year...
You shouldn't listen to what the polar bears tell you.
Quote from: Norgy on April 13, 2011, 02:43:21 PM
Quote from: Barrister on April 13, 2011, 02:26:15 PM
I hear Spitsbergen is nice this time of year...
You shouldn't listen to what the polar bears tell you.
Next you'll be telling me raw seal meat isn't good for breakfast, lunch or supper. :rolleyes:
It is. Lots of those important saturated fat acids.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on April 11, 2011, 08:34:23 PM
Quote from: Caliga on April 11, 2011, 09:16:54 AM
Anyway, if I was Portuguese I'd definitely leave for Brazil. Carnival in Rio Y'ALL :punk:
Enjoy breathing that AIDS air.
Or just getting killed outright. There are some rural parts of Brazil I'd like to visit, but I have no desire to set foot any any of their big cities.
Quote from: derspiess on April 13, 2011, 02:52:10 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on April 11, 2011, 08:34:23 PM
Quote from: Caliga on April 11, 2011, 09:16:54 AM
Anyway, if I was Portuguese I'd definitely leave for Brazil. Carnival in Rio Y'ALL :punk:
Enjoy breathing that AIDS air.
Or just getting killed outright. There are some rural parts of Brazil I'd like to visit, but I have no desire to set foot any any of their big cities.
My brother and his common law just came back from visiting his girlfriend's family in Salvador and had only wonderful things to say... :unsure:
Quote from: HVC on April 13, 2011, 02:27:39 PM
Quote from: Siege on April 13, 2011, 02:21:14 PM
I don't like latin american culture.
They are far too religious for my taste.
They are like 99.99% catholic and still think jews are evil.
I like Spain and Portugal, though.
I see a huge diference between their mediterranean culture and the latinamerican culture of their old colonial possessions.
Don't know about the rest, but Brazil is pretty good on the jewish angle. They'll kill ya and rob you, but for a whole host of other reasons besides you being jewish.
Argies generally aren't too deeply religious. They tend to be anti-semitic, but it's a softer variety mostly limited to jokes & whatnot.
Quote from: Barrister on April 13, 2011, 02:55:50 PM
My brother and his common law just came back from visiting his girlfriend's family in Salvador and had only wonderful things to say... :unsure:
Good for him. I guess it helps to have friends/in-laws there. But the generally high crime rate in Brazil + having zero interest in Brazilian culture is enough to keep me away. I love me some Argentina and I'd like to go to Uruguay ("mini-Argentina"), Chile, and a few spots in Peru. But the rest of South America = meh.
I fully expect having to make the trip to Brazil next year for a wedding, so I'll let you know then. :mellow:
I'd love to go to Brazil sometime, after the orient its the place I'd most like to visit atually. The crime though is very off putting.
Quote from: Barrister on April 13, 2011, 03:10:52 PM
I fully expect having to make the trip to Brazil next year for a wedding, so I'll let you know then. :mellow:
if you're a native English speaker (and don't like Latino) you're pretty good. Just stay in the touristy areas and away from brightly coloured neighborhoods. Seriously, the more brightly painted the houses the more poor the neighborhood.
oh, and always makes sure your window is rolled up when you come to a stop.