Territorial Cohesion, Brain Drain and Digital Divide

Abstract

Declining regional economies often trigger out-migration of the local population. Characteristically, this process is highly selective with regard to age and education: It is the best educated and youngest people who migrate first, leaving relatively disadvantaged, older-aged and immobile segments of the population behind. This gradual decline in the qualified workforce has become known as brain drain during the past few decades. In eastern Germany the general pattern of brain drain processes has been reinforced since 1990 due to a clear gender bias brought about by an increasing number of young women on the move. Additionally, severe and continuous population losses culminate in a characteristic cascade of economic crisis, e.g., rising unemployment, decreasing investment rates in traditional branches, and decreasing private and public sector investment into primary and secondary education and vocational training.