Brain drain or OE? Characteristics of young New Zealanders who leave

Aims. To characterise the emigration patterns of young New Zealanders. Methods. The 980 members of the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Develo pment Study participating in the "age-26" (1998-1999) assessment provided i nformation about emigration behaviour, qualifications, aspects of physical and mental health and personality. Results. 26% of the sample had moved overseas to five between the ages of 1 8 and 26, with the United Kingdom and Australia being the most common desti nations. Compared to non-emigrants, emigrants had higher IQ scores, were be tter qualified, leaner and fitter, and had happier and less stress-prone pe rsonalities. Based on their planned return date, 63% of emigrants were cons idered to be on their OE overseas experience (OE, return in <5 years), 18% were defined as brain-drain emigrants (return in >5 years or never) and 18% were uncertain about their return. Brain-drain emigrants were more likely than OE emigrants to leave for better work opportunities, and they were als o more likely to go to Australia. However, there were no differences in ter ms of qualifications, intelligence and personality between OE and brain-dra in emigrants. Conclusions. Most young New Zealanders in this cohort who left fbr overseas were embarking on their OE Brain-drain emigrants make up a sizeable minori ty of emigrants, but appear to possess no more skills than those who plan o r choose to return.