More than ten years have passed since the term “brain drain” made its appearance in public discourse. Economic crisis, unemployment and lack of opportunities were the main factors that pushed around 600,000 young people – mainly highly skilled – to leave Greece and seek a better future abroad.
Beyond the Greek family, the brain drain has also been a wound for the Greek economy and development, which in recent years seems to be healing.
Thus, the so-called “brain gain”, that is, the return to Greece of the talents who emigrated in search of better opportunities, is gradually coming to the fore. According to the latest data from Eurostat, approximately 350,000 Greeks have returned to Greece of those who had moved abroad in the period 2010-2021.
According to a survey by the BrainReGain-Hellenism in Action Initiative, conducted from November 2023 to January 2024 and entitled “I would return if…”, 50% of participants expressed a strong desire to return to Greece, with 21% of them to state that he wants to return within a year.
The profile of those who want to shoot
The same research shows that the majority of Greeks live and work mainly in Great Britain, Germany and the Netherlands. The percentages of Greeks abroad who are in America, Canada and the Middle East are smaller.
Most Greeks abroad are over 35 years old, they stay more than six years abroad and 70% of them have a master’s degree, while 18% have a doctorate or postdoctoral degree.
Their areas of employment include technology (19%), the academic community (10%) and its space health (10%).
Greeks who wish to return usually they have high expertise and significant professional experience. According to the BrainReGain Mentoring program of the BrainReGain Initiative-Hellenism in Action, most participants have more than 10 years of experience abroad, hold postgraduate degrees and are employed in a wide range of professions.
Positives and negatives
Reasons for return vary on a case-by-case basis. As Marianna Doukakou, General Manager of the BrainReGain Initiative – Hellenism in Action, said, speaking to APE-MPE, “important incentives are the improved economic conditions and the best professional environment in Greece”.
In addition, many want to be close to their family and friends, while others see the return as an opportunity to contribute to the development of Greece.
On the contrary, uncertainty in the labor market, lower wages and bureaucracy are the main deterrents to return to Greece.
Need for a national repatriation strategy
Recently, it was announced by the Greek State that a Strategic Plan for Hellenism Abroad is being drawn up, which will extend from 2024 to 2027 and one aspect of which concerns precisely the relationship between the Greek State, the Greek diaspora and dealing with the new diaspora generation , of the “brain drain”.
Within this framework, among other things, the organization of DYPA Career Days abroad, active cooperation with Enterprise Greece in order for Greek business to communicate with abroad, as well as a memorandum of cooperation with Study in Greece related to the extroversion of Greek universities.
“Cooperation between public and private entities is vital for the creation of a national repatriation strategy, which can contribute to competitiveness and innovation in Greece. Every return is a strengthening of social cohesion and an addition to the country’s economy”, Mrs. Doukaku pointed out to APE-MPE.
The BrainReGain Initiative – Hellenism in Action, as he explained, aims to create new channels of communication and cooperation between the country’s productive forces and Hellenism abroad, as well as the return of Greek men and women who left during the economic crisis.
Through the BrainGain Jobs in Greece platform, through which employment opportunities in Greece are highlighted, more than 450 jobs from 100 companies have been promoted, while the BrainReGain Mentoring program has received more than 700 applications, of which 150 have been assigned to mentors.
“The most important thing is that both our members and a significant number of companies have repatriated and integrated into their workforce hundreds of Greeks who were working abroad. In fact, among these companies there are some “champions” who within a year have repatriated more than 50 people”, noted Mrs. Doukaku.
As he said, a continuous stream of returns is recorded. “However, we need many to bring back more. And this is the essence of our Alliance”, he emphasized.
It is worth noting that the BrainReGain-Hellenicism in Action Initiative consists, in total, of 48 companies from the private and public sector, which represent the strongest productive sectors such as Industry, Technology, Tourism, Construction, Retail Trade, Shipping, Health, Legal and Advisory Services, Education.
“All our members recognize the added value of repatriation, not only for themselves as businesses and in attracting talented minds, but also in revitalizing the economy and society. Despite the challenges, the results are encouraging and continued support for these efforts is essential for the success of the venture,” he stressed.
More information on the BrainReGain Initiative – Hellenism in Action, on the website: and the social networks on LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook /brainregain.gr.
Source: RES-MPE
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