International | How valuable are they?

Migrant brainpower

Many countries say their diasporas are valuable. But is this fact or flattery? One measure comes from the World Intellectual Property Organisation. Before September 2012 scientific and technical patents recorded not just where an inventor was working but also where he or she was born. It is thus possible to measure expats’ brain power. By this yardstick Britain, Canada, China, Germany and India have the most talented diasporas. Relative to their home populations, though, expats of African countries such as Ghana and Nigeria are the most accomplished. Between 2007 and 2012 more than nine-tenths of patents filed by people born in those countries were registered by expatriates. Surprisingly, a higher proportion of Brits who register patents are working abroad than is the case for Chinese people (20% v 17%). China’s liberal patenting system is one reason; another, perhaps, is the British talent for melting into other countries and thriving there.

This article appeared in the International section of the print edition under the headline "Migrant brainpower"

The right to die: Why assisted suicide should be legal

From the June 27th 2015 edition

Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents

Explore the edition

Discover more

Narendra Modi’s secret weapon: India’s diaspora

Migrants help campaign for the prime minister at home and lobby for the country abroad

Why young men and women are drifting apart

Diverging worldviews could affect politics, families and more


We’re hiring a global correspondent

An opportunity to join our editorial staff in London