Brain drain on the rise: young Romanians are choosing universities in the USA, Asia, and Western Europe

The phenomenon of 'brain drain' affects Romania, where students and graduates with excellent results leave in search of better opportunities abroad. Diana, a 10th-grade student, and Sofia, a 12th-grade student, wish to study at prestigious universities in the United States, South Korea, and China, where they can participate in research and have access to international programs in English.

Andrei Nicolae, CEO of a consulting firm, emphasizes that Romania cannot compete with the quality of education in other countries, especially in fields such as astronomy, astrophysics, and neuroscience. Analyses show that 46 regions in Europe are losing young people with higher education, and Romania is among the most affected countries, with over 10% of graduates settling in other states within the European Union. The causes of this phenomenon include the lack of job opportunities and the need for administrative reorganization in the country. The main destinations for Romanians leaving are Italy, Germany, and Spain, where 13% of Romanians now reside.