Now, many talented Israeli brain drain from diverse fields, especially technology and medicine, are fleeing from huge companies like Microsoft and Google to find solace and security in Europe or other parts of the world.
Once acclaimed as the “Startup Nation,” the Israeli identity of innovative activity has been shaken after the attack on October 7, 2023, and in the course of hostilities with Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran.
The short-term displacement caused by looming immediate threats quickly resolved into a further larger-scale movement: “brain drain” is what now threatens decades of Israeli innovation.
According to the official statistics, immediately after the attack on October 7, the number of Israelis leaving the country forever increased dramatically – by 285%. This spike has now leveled off, but the numbers continue to reflect a major outflow, driven by fears for safety, governance, and social cohesion.
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Even before the assaults, movement was underway, with an increase of 51% in the prior months attributed to protests against government-proposed changes in the judiciary.
The tech sector of Israel, which has a reputation as one of the most powerful players in the world with giants such as Google, Microsoft, and Intel, is also beginning to feel the effects of this growing out-migration. With the best talent in the field leaving the country, the currents of migration will be felt worldwide. The most serious effect of this outflow is that it threatens to create a massive brain drain in Israel that can even injure its tax base since high-income professionals in the technology sector will be looking for places outside to earn income. The long-term economic effects for Israel could be significant.