Throughout history, emigration has played a major role in the formation of the different cultures that exist today. Moreover, it has been a phenomenon as common as any other basic need of the human been. However, emigration, as anything else, has both its negative and positive impacts on countries and society. On one side, it might result on a brain drain for a country or in isolation and injustices for a person. Although, on the other side, emigration can help to improve the economy of a country, as well as the life style and economical opportunities of a person.
In the first place, emigration can have a negative effect on the welfare of a certain country because it can cause a brain drain. The skilled and educated people, such as doctors, lawyers, engineers and teachers of the undeveloped and poor countries often emigrate to rich and more developed ones, such as the United States, which offer them things that their country cannot offer. For example, there are currently more African scientists and engineers working in the United states than there are in Africa and this growing shortage in high skilled workers in South Africa prevents investments because it is impossible to attract investors if companies do not have the necessary skills to perform the job. This brain drain provokes the standard of health care, education and public service of the home country to decline and, as a result, the welfare of the citizens of that country goes on a downward spiral. .
However, on the other hand, emigration can have a positive impact on the .
welfare of that skilled people who emigrate from those poor and undeveloped countries. These people who perhaps had been either paid unfairly, submitted to tremendous social inequalities, or even suffered the consequences of living in a country in war, will then be able to find, in that new country, some better opportunities for them, as well as a bright future and hope to their children.