Guyana Records Highest Brain Drain Score in South America Amidst Economic Boom
By Antonio Dey | HGP Nightly News|
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA – A new report from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has cast a somber shadow over Guyana’s economic success, revealing that the nation is currently grappling with a severe human capital crisis. Despite its status as one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, Guyana is losing its skilled professionals at one of the highest rates globally.
The 2026 UNDP “Democracy and Development Report” indicates that Guyana now holds the highest “brain drain” score in South America, reaching a critical 8.2 out of 10. This score places Guyana ahead of crisis-stricken Venezuela (6.5) and neighboring Suriname (5.7).
Global and Regional Rankings
The report’s findings place Guyana in a precarious position both regionally and internationally:
- Global Rank: 12th highest rate of human capital loss in the world.
- Regional Rank: 4th in the Latin American and Caribbean region.
- Caribbean Context: Only Jamaica (9.5) and Haiti (8.3) recorded higher levels of professional migration.
The UNDP defines brain drain as the migration of skilled professionals for political or economic reasons. For Guyana, this exodus is particularly pronounced among the highly educated; World Bank data suggests that roughly 50% of Guyanese with tertiary education have relocated, primarily to the United States. In total, an estimated 39% of all Guyanese citizens now reside abroad.
The Migration Paradox
The crisis is further complicated by Guyana’s new role as a destination for thousands of Venezuelan migrants. While the government has utilized MERCOSUR agreements and temporary permits to regularize these arrivals, the influx has put additional strain on public services that are already struggling due to the loss of local skilled workers.
The Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) has been vocal in its calls for government intervention, arguing that the burgeoning oil economy cannot be sustained if the country continues to export its intellectual and technical talent.
A Threat to Sustainability
The UNDP report offers a stark warning: economic growth driven by oil revenues is not a substitute for robust institutions. Without a strategic plan to improve public services and create an environment that retains skilled professionals, Guyana’s current growth trajectory may prove unsustainable.
As large-scale development initiatives continue to roll out, the shortage of local expertise may force an over-reliance on foreign labor, further decoupling the nation’s wealth from its domestic workforce. Experts agree that addressing the root causes of migration—including wage disparities and institutional stability—is now a matter of national security.
