Research
The Impact of Remote Work on Domestic Brain Drain in the United States
Abstract This paper examines the impact of remote work, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, on domestic brain drain within the United States. Using a difference-in-differences methodology, we analyze whether the increased geographic flexibility provided by remote work has mitigated the migration of skilled workers from their state of birth, commonly referred to as domestic brain drain. Our findings indicate that remote work has both a ”preventative” effect, allowing individuals to remain in their home state while accessing higher-paying jobs, and a potential ”reverse” effect, enabling those who previously migrated to return to their home state. While data limitations preclude a direct analysis of return migration trends, these initial findings have important implications for policymakers and regional stakeholders seeking to address talent retention and foster equitable economic development in a post-pandemic labor market.
We received $2,000 of support via the Shackouls Honors College Research Fellowship. I presented our research at the Mississippi State University Undergraduate Research Symposium and participated in their 3MRP.
Where it’s going: we have been granted access to the PSID restricted-use dataset [Aug. 26] and will be continuing the project with it. Read the draft from our Comparative Economic Policy course (PDF) →