Poverty, unemployment and sanctions fuel Iran’s brain drain

Summary

Iran is experiencing a significant brain drain as a growing number of skilled professionals, including engineers, mathematicians, and medical workers, seek better opportunities abroad. This has particularly impacted the country's medical sector, with thousands of nurses and healthcare workers leaving due to low wages and poor working conditions. The economic decline, worsened by international sanctions, has driven many Iranians, including doctors and PhDs, to emigrate in search of a better life. With an increasing number of educated Iranians leaving annually, the future of the nation’s workforce remains uncertain.

Takeaways

• 😀 Iran is experiencing a significant brain drain, with many experts, including engineers, mathematicians, and medical workers, seeking better opportunities abroad.
• 😀 The number of Iranians leaving the country has been rising sharply, especially in recent years.
• 😀 The medical sector in Iran is particularly affected by this outflow of talent, with many nurses leaving due to low wages and poor working conditions.
• 😀 Nurses in Iran report working long hours for low pay, with some preferring to immigrate to foreign countries for better financial prospects.
• 😀 A lack of timely payments in Iran's healthcare system has contributed to an increase in immigration, particularly among nurses.
• 😀 During the first 10 months of the pandemic, nearly 3,000 healthcare workers left Iran, marking a significant trend of migration within the medical field.
• 😀 Immigration from Iran has tripled in the past four years, with around 150,000 people leaving annually, including many with university degrees and PhDs.
• 😀 Approximately 3,000 doctors, including neuroscientist Milad Mohammadi, are among those emigrating each year in search of better opportunities.
• 😀 Milad Mohammadi, now living in Germany, chose to leave Iran because he believed the country's situation would worsen, particularly due to the economic impact of sanctions.
• 😀 Sanctions are seen as a major contributing factor to Iran's ongoing economic difficulties, which have driven many highly educated professionals to leave the country.
• 😀 Iran's Minister of Foreign Affairs reported that around 4 million Iranians currently live abroad, and the number of those seeking to leave is rapidly increasing.

Q & A

Why are many Iranians seeking to leave their country?

Many Iranians are seeking to leave due to limited opportunities at home, poor economic conditions, and the impact of international sanctions. This has affected various sectors, including healthcare.

What is the main reason for the high number of healthcare workers leaving Iran?

A significant reason is low wages and long working hours for medical workers, including nurses, who also face issues like delayed payments. This makes it difficult to maintain a decent livelihood, prompting many to seek better opportunities abroad.

How many healthcare workers reportedly left Iran during the first 10 months of the pandemic?

Nearly 3,000 healthcare workers reportedly left Iran during the first 10 months of the pandemic.

How has the number of Iranians immigrating changed in recent years?

In the past four years, immigration has risen threefold, with about 150,000 people leaving Iran annually, many of whom have university degrees, including PhDs.

What impact have international sanctions had on the Iranian economy?

International sanctions have significantly worsened Iran's economic situation, leading to increased inflation, unemployment, and a decline in living standards, which has contributed to more Iranians seeking to leave the country.

How does the script explain the brain drain in Iran?

The script highlights that the brain drain, particularly among experts like engineers, mathematicians, and medical workers, has been exacerbated by the poor economic conditions and the increasing challenges posed by international sanctions.

What is Milad Muhammadi's perspective on leaving Iran?

Milad Muhammadi, a neuroscientist now living in Germany, explains that although the economic situation was difficult when he left, it was not as dire as it is now. He believes the worsening situation and sanctions played a key role in his decision to stay abroad.

How does the number of Iranians living abroad compare to those who still live in Iran?

According to a report, around 4 million Iranians live abroad, while many in Iran still hold out hope for a better life. However, the number of outward-looking Iranians is rapidly increasing.

What does the term 'brain drain' refer to in the context of this script?

'Brain drain' in the script refers to the outflow of highly educated and skilled professionals, particularly in fields like medicine and engineering, from Iran due to economic challenges and lack of opportunities.

What role does the economic situation play in the immigration decisions of Iranians?

The poor economic situation in Iran, worsened by sanctions, plays a major role in the decision of many Iranians, especially professionals, to immigrate. The desire for better job prospects, improved living standards, and financial stability drives their decision to leave.