The Micronesian exodus

Micronesia has the highest per capita net emigration rate in the world. This paper provides an overview of the Micronesian migration experience, and shows that a range of public policies can shape a country’s experience with migration.

The paper presents the following findings:

• the exodus of citizens further complicates the region’s development challenges, not just in terms of ‘brain drain’ but also the impacts on population growth and inward migration
• pull factors include potential for improved living standard, safety and security, political and religious freedom, family reunification and return to ethnic homeland
• all things considered, there is very good reason to believe that the Micronesian exodus will continue

However, the author argues that governments can do more to balance the outflow of migrants, by investing more in education and growing the local economy at home.

Conclusions are as follows:

• the primary policy aim should be to develop attractive employment prospects locally, and ensure school leavers are equipped with the necessary skills to meet the demands of a growing local labour market
• investing in quality and fee-free higher education may also provide more options for young people to stay in the region
• on the other hand, improved options for choice migration not only serve the personal interest but may also contribute to the national interest through more and higher remittances
• furthermore, developing and maintaining links with the population living overseas would enable local governments, business and institutions to draw on the expertise of the diaspora

In the final analysis, the document states that there is no need to apply artificial brakes on migration. Integrating education, employment and migration policies can grow the domestic labour force, and ensure individuals can migrate with better skills thus opening more opportunities in overseas labour markets.