The European talent drain

Published on 22 June 2009 at 13:29

Tagesspiegelinsists that "something must be done" about Russian brain surgeons working as taxi drivers in Europe. Citing a new report from the Transatlantic Academy, which questions immigration policies in Europe and the United States, the Berlin daily points out that "it is wrong to presume that the social integration of highly qualified migrants is easier than the absorption of 'poor' ones." A policy of selective economic immigration favoured by governments does not work - "Germany, the UK, France and Ireland waste skilled workers by refusing to recognise their qualifications." Unlike the United States, European countries have also failed to integrate the children of unskilled immigrants. "Germany has the worst record in this regard," reports *Tagesspiegel*. "Only 15,5% of immigrants' children have a university qualification."

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