Human capital mobility: the case of Lebanese in Australia

Abstract

International migration is one of the major constituents that determine the size and structure of a population. By its very nature, international migration connects populations across boundaries and thus has impacts beyond any specific country. It has shaped the worldwide human and economic globalization trends. Nowadays, more people are residing or permanently settling outside their country of origin, as human talent has become a key economic sought resource and a basis for innovation in science, technology, business, arts and other activities. This new given mobility offers countries a way to expand their labour supply, and provides various implications for the countries of origin and destination. As skills become even more interchangeable between the different segments of the global labour market; the movement of people increases. Australia has been always looked upon as a "nation of immigrants" as it has been experiencing increasing migration for decade's even centuries. In this thesis, I review the policy issues related to the international mobility of human capital, with description of the quantitative dimension of immigration: how many immigrants entered Australia and the implications of this mobility on the source of origin [Lebanon] and the destination country [Australia]. Furthermore, I surveyed the economic impact of international labour migration and examined the effects of this mobility on natives in the countries of immigration as well as on the migrants, and on those left behind in the countries of emigration; in addition to the role played by migrant workers' remittances in stimulating local economic development. Using the data available, the analysis will attempt to highlight the potential and adverse economic effects that migration has on the native country [Lebanon].