The Emigration of Highly Qualified Students from Morocco: An Analysis Using Panel Data

Abstract

The emigration of highly qualified students from Morocco poses a significant challenge to the country’s economic and social development, contributing to a troubling "brain drain" that impacts not only the fields of medicine and engineering but also various other critical sectors in need of innovation and expertise. This study investigates the specific factors driving these students to leave Morocco, utilizing a sample of 31 countries and employing a fixed-effects econometric model for the period 2016-2018. Our analysis identifies several key determinants of emigration, including GDP per capita, public spending on education, the unemployment rate, and the quality of higher education. The results highlight the critical role of effective public policies in talent retention and suggest that targeted interventions are necessary to mitigate this outflow of skilled individuals. This research contributes to the understanding of brain drain dynamics and offers actionable insights for policymakers seeking to address this pressing issue.