Due to economic circumstances, brain drain, especially among petroleum engineers, has become a growing phenomenon impacting the national economy. Driven by factors such as limited domestic job prospects, better salaries, improved working conditions, and access to advanced technologies abroad, many professionals are seeking employment overseas.
A Wide Vision
Egypt, like many countries, experiences significant labor migration, including in the petroleum sector. Minister of Immigration, Soha Gendi, stated there are 14 million Egyptians working abroad. Additionally, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that over six million Egyptians migrated to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Libya, and Jordan.
A study by the International Labor Organization (ILO) found that most Egyptian emigrants work in education, healthcare, tourism, and oil and gas. A 2023 Asda’a BCW survey revealed that 48% of Arab youth in North Africa, including Egypt, wish to emigrate, citing lack of jobs, economic instability, and conflict. This trend signifies a loss of talents that could positively impact Egypt’s economy.
Drives for Brain Drain
Identified economic hardships, high unemployment, limited research opportunities, and political instability as key drivers of brain drain, alongside attractive foreign salaries, intellectual freedom, and advanced education systems. In the petroleum sector, brain drain has become widespread as they seek better opportunities abroad especially in the oil producing countries.
Nihal Hatem, HR Lead at Egypt Upstream Gateway (EUG) at the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources (MoPMR), stated to Egypt Oil and Gas (EOG) that the work preferences of the generations have been changed, explaining “majority of engineers tend to leave the companies to abroad because the mindset has changed and the lifestyle now is very fast changing and requires a lot financial security.”
She elaborated that that many engineers pursue remote work, freelancing, or startup opportunities for financial security and faster career progression. This is so that they change jobs frequently for better pay or opportunities Hatem added. Moreover, Mostafa Helmy, Drilling Engineer at Gulf of Suez Petroleum Company (GUPCO), told EOG “the most common cause [for brain drain] is the very low salaries, the poor career development track in addition to the very slow promotion ladder in Egypt.”
Egypt’s Efforts for Retaining Talents and the Economic Impact
Most of the experts recommended that governments should focus on reviving the economic conditions to provide economically attracting opportunities for the talents. The Economic Expert Mohamed El Bahwashy said to EOG “international companies abroad provide salaries and allowances in addition to health and social care and providing decent accommodation. If these grants and wages were available to the Egyptian workers, returning to homelands would be their better choice.”
Developed educational systems and scientific and research environments are needed, too Nihal Hatem stressed the need to upgrade petroleum engineering programs at Cairo University, Ain Shams University, and Suez Canal University, and advocated for clearer career ladders in national companies. El Bahshawy also highlighted investing in education and technology to enhance human resources’ competitiveness.
Egypt has initiated steps to overcome brain drain, especially in the petroleum sector. The Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources (MoPMR) incorporated human capacity development into its strategy, launching a middle management program that offers international training opportunities. Technical schools related to the industry were also established to provide practical applications and technology integration. The Ministry further launched the Work Shadowing project as part of the Young Leaders and Middle Management Program to connect youth with experienced leaders.
On a broader scale, the government raised minimum wages and initiated projects to stimulate business growth and curb illegal migration. It also facilitated procedures for startups. These efforts helped Egypt achieve a Human Development Index (HDI) of 0.718 in 2022, according to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
Encouraging Egyptian talents to return could significantly impact economic growth. A study published the Economic Research forum entitled “Brain Gain form Return Migration: Evidence from Egypt” proved that the returned migrants acquire significant skills and return to their origin countries with enhanced human capital.
This enable them to transfer their expertise positively at their jobs, take higher salaries and are more likely to climb up the occupational ladder faster. Additionally, they may use their financial capital in launching new businesses supporting the country’s economy. So that, all these things will reflect positively on the economic growth of the country.
In conclusion, investing in brain gain means investing in Egypt’s future. By fostering knowledge exchange, supporting innovation, and creating opportunities for returning expatriates, Egypt can strengthen its workforce and build a more competitive, resilient economy.
