Lands of promise

WHERE SCIENTISTS WANT TO MOVE

THE MAP OF GLOBAL SCIENCE

WHERE SCIENTISTS WANT TO MOVE

China topped predictions of future impact in a Nature survey of 2,300 respondents worldwide. But few of the respondents (who were mostly from the United States and Europe) would move there.

India
Switzerland
Netherlands
UK
Canada
Germany
Belgium
Australia
Italy
Sweden
Denmark
France
Spain
Brazil
US
Japan

Canada
21%

United
States
87%

United
Kingdom
50%

France
25%

Germany
47%

Brazil
4%

Africa
1%

India
4%

China
12%

Japan
27%

Australia
18%

Other Latin
America
1%

Other
Europe
27%

Other
Asia
3%

Respondents were asked:

Which countries have the greatest scientific impact today?

Which countries do you predict will have the greatest impact in 2020?

To which countries would you consider relocating?

INCENTIVES FOR MIGRATION

BARRIERS TO MIGRATION

WEIGHING UP A MOVE

Nature’s survey asked respondents how important various factors would be in making a decision about working abroad.

Securing a more senior position

100%

80%

60%

40%

20%

0%

1/5

WHERE SCIENTISTS WANT TO MOVE

China topped predictions of future impact in a Nature survey of 2,300 respondents worldwide. But few of the respondents (who were mostly from the US and Europe) would move there.

THE MAP OF GLOBAL SCIENCE

The GlobSci survey asked 17,000 scientists in 16 countries in 2011 about their national origins* and where they were working.

*National origin defined as country of residence at the age of 18. Click here for the full GlobSci survey.

WEIGHING UP A MOVE

Nature’s survey asked respondents how important various factors would be in making a decision about working abroad.

Securing a more senior position
  • Very important
  • 4.2%
  • Quite important
  • 38.1%
  • Not very important
  • 16.2%
  • Not at all important
  • 3.2%
  • I don't know
  • 0.3%
An increased salary
  • Very important
  • 30.9%
  • Quite important
  • 46.3%
  • Not very important
  • 20.6%
  • Not at all important
  • 2.2%
  • I don't know
  • 0.1%
Increased quality of life
  • Very important
  • 50.8%
  • Quite important
  • 37.6%
  • Not very important
  • 10.2%
  • Not at all important
  • 1.2%
  • I don't know
  • 0.2%
A desire to experience another culture
  • Very important
  • 16.3%
  • Quite important
  • 39.8%
  • Not very important
  • 34.2%
  • Not at all important
  • 9.1%
  • I don't know
  • 0.6%
Increased availability of research funding
  • Very important
  • 44.7%
  • Quite important
  • 39.0%
  • Not very important
  • 11.6%
  • Not at all important
  • 3.0%
  • I don't know
  • 1.7%
A country with an authoritarian political system and few personal freedoms
  • A very significant barrier
  • 77.1%
  • A somewhat significant barrier
  • 16.3%
  • Not a significant barrier
  • 4.7%
  • Not a barrier at all
  • 1.2%
  • I don't know
  • 0.7%
A country with a very different culture
  • A very significant barrier
  • 7.9%
  • A somewhat significant barrier
  • 35.5%
  • Not a significant barrier
  • 40.2%
  • Not a barrier at all
  • 15.9%
  • I don't know
  • 0.5%
A position without a significant increase in salary
  • A very significant barrier
  • 20.7%
  • A somewhat significant barrier
  • 39.2%
  • Not a significant barrier
  • 33.7%
  • Not a barrier at all
  • 6.0%
  • I don't know
  • 0.4%
Potential challenges associated with gaining a work visa
  • A very significant barrier
  • 21.1%
  • A somewhat significant barrier
  • 39.7%
  • Not a significant barrier
  • 29.6%
  • Not a barrier at all
  • 8.1%
  • I don't know
  • 1.5%
A country where a different language is spoken
  • A very significant barrier
  • 8.2%
  • A somewhat significant barrier
  • 29.6%
  • Not a significant barrier
  • 40.3%
  • Not a barrier at all
  • 21.6%
  • I don't know
  • 0.2%
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