Argentina - IOM and the International Network of Migration and Development (INMD) today published a study: Skilled Migration and Development: Challenges in South America.

The publication presents a global view of skilled migration: its features, concepts and implications in development, and analyzes the scope and impact of this type of migration in South America.

The study includes information about skilled migrants coming from countries in the South American region and beyond, their main countries of destination, their contributions to both countries of origin and destination, as well as the outflows from the countries of origin. It also includes an analysis of the response of several countries to the challenges of skilled migration.

The results of the study conclude that the highly skilled South American population in the United States increased 115 per cent between 2000 and 2012. It also notes that skilled South American women exceeded men in the United States by 56 percent in 2012.

The United States, Canada and Spain are the three most important destinations for skilled migrants from South America; although there are significant flows in the region and to Europe.

The main sectors of activity of skilled South American migrants in the United States are education (20.5 percent), professionals, scientists, management and administrative (18.5 percent), health and social work (18 percent).

The publication stresses that skilled migration can benefit countries of origin, since contact with skilled fellow nationals abroad results in synergies that can strengthen a country´s development, no matter what they do, who they work for or where and how they work. The study indicates that skilled migration is also positive for the countries of destination.

According to the study, the governments of South America are responding to the challenges of skilled migration through the implementation of integration and return programs for nationals abroad.

To download the study in Spanish please go to:
http://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/press_release/file/OIM-Migracion-Calificada-en-America-del-Sur.pdf

For further information, please contact Ezequiel Texidó at the IOM Regional Office in Buenos Aires, Tel. + 54 1152192033, Email: etexido@iom.int