New project aims to understand factors driving the Welsh brain drain

A major research project looking at why people leave Wales and what could encourage them to return or invest to boost the economy has been launched. The initiative from Welsh international diaspora organisation, GlobalWelsh, aims to get a clearer picture on the factors that continue to see the potential of the Welsh economy being hampered by a brain drain of talent to other parts of the UK and internationally.

GlobalWelsh said this exodus - although Wales still attracts people from elsewhere - is a growing economic and social issue and could undermine efforts to maximise the potential of growing sectors such as green energy, AI, cyber and technology.

The research will be conducted by Dr Sarah Louisa Birchley, a professor in the faculty of business administration at Tokyo Gakuen University. A GlobalWelsh board member and specialist in global diaspora entrepreneurship, Dr Birchley will ask Welsh people living and working all over the world the reasons as to why they left Wales, their current connections to Wales, and what might motivate them to return. The research is being conducted in partnership with Welsh Water.

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Dr Birchley said: “As a member of the Welsh diaspora myself, having been born and raised in Cwmbran but residing in Japan since 2001, I have consistently held a profound interest in the interplay between people’ and place. Over the past 15 years I have been researching Japanese diaspora entrepreneurship in southeast Asia and Latin America and so I am thrilled and excited to be able to return to my roots and execute this study on the Welsh diaspora.

“We have taken a systematic and agile approach to mapping the Welsh diaspora. Our questions will not only help us understand who our diaspora are but also their skills and attributes, their sense of identity and belongingness, and how they interact with their communities and networks. We also have a section for entrepreneurs and hope to uncover new trade and industry opportunities between Wales and the rest of the world. This research aims to furnish decision-makers with empirical insights that can inform the formulation of strategic policies, empowering diaspora members to actively contribute and engage in ways that maximise their developmental impact.”

The Welsh global diaspora is estimated to be more than three million people – a similar number to the population living within Wales. Spread all over the globe, there are particular concentrations in the United States and England. GlobalWelsh will share the results of its research in the autumn, which it hopes will provide important data and insight for future policy, economic and business planning for Wales.”

Walter May, GlobalWelsh founder and chief executive, said: “It’s important for Wales, its government, councils, business organisations, companies, universities, cultural, tourism, sports and public sector organisations to understand why people leave Wales in droves and never return. This is the first time a quantitative and qualitative piece of research has been done on this scale about brain drain and we expect the results to be key in how Wales can retain and attract talent in the future.

“The research will ask diaspora about their attitudes towards Wales, their motivations for leaving, perceived barriers to returning and their appetite and motivation to contribute to the success of Wales on the global stage.”

Martin Driscoll, business support and people director at Welsh Water, added:“We are excited that this very important global research project is now live. It’s important for Welsh organisations, like ourselves, to better understand the barriers and motivations of our global talent pool so that we may attract and retain key talent within the borders of Wales. The findings of this research will not only help us to gain a better understanding of why people leave Wales but also why they would eventually return. We are very much looking forward to the results and the final report later this year.”