Social Pull
A Deluge Of What India Wants Most Now
The downturn in the US is reversing our much-lamented brain drain. This could make India an innovation dynamo.
- Quality of life was cited as main reason for coming back
- Many felt emotional growth and education of children was better in India than in the US
- Being close to family, caring for aging parents a strong factor
- Family values and cultural assimilation better in India
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Professional Pull
- A majority believe India has better career opportunities than US
- Many have moved up professionally after coming back to India
- Financial compensation in relation to cost of living is better in India
- Growing demand for their skills in India was a big factor prompting them to return home
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A Step Above
Comparing current employment in India with previous US job, respondents rated the advantages
1 star: Much better in the US; 5 stars: Much better in India
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More Doors To Advancement
Professional opportunities in respondents' view (in percentage)
Homebodies
Would return if offered permanent residency and suitable job in the US?
Yes: 22.9%
No: 39.8%
Maybe: 37.3%
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(The author is a senior research associate at the Labor & Worklife Program at Harvard Law School and executive-in-residence at Duke University. His report, 'America's Loss is the World's Gain', on US immigrants returning to India and China, was released on March 2.)
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