A micro data analysis of Italy’s brain drain

Contrary to current thinking which views the European brain drain as a transitory phenomenon, this paper shows, using a micro-data analysis, that, as far as Italy is concerned, such migration is permanent. The present study provides new empirical evidence on the propensity to return. The empirical approach and analytical models used outline the profile of the emigrants, their reasons for flight, the drawing factors and the aspects governing return. Our findings are robust and statistics significant in the results and to the choice of instruments and the empirical model we apply.