Global race to attract talent

The European Commission (EC) has just unveiled a 500-million-EUR financial package aimed at reinforcing the continent’s bid to become a “magnet” for the world’s leading scientists. Not only the European Union (EU), but numerous countries are accelerating efforts in the global race to secure intellectual talent, an invaluable resource.

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. (Photo: THX/VNA)

Science, technology, research, and innovation are regarded as key pillars in the EU’s economic development strategy. Speaking at the recent “Choose Europe for Science” conference in France, EC President Ursula von der Leyen emphasised the need to invest in science and to create more favourable conditions for retaining and attracting more talent.

Accordingly, the 500-million-Euro investment, set to be disbursed between 2025 and 2027, is expected to serve dual purposes: enhancing the EU’s research capacity and extending a warm welcome to outstanding scientists from across the globe, especially in the fields of health, climate, biodiversity, artificial intelligence, and space. This move is part of the EU’s broader efforts to bolster global competitiveness in research and innovation.

The strategy to attract talent to the EU is being vigorously implemented not only at the regional level but also by individual member states. France, a frontrunner in the EU’s talent recruitment efforts, launched the “Choose France for Science” programme in April, giving the green light for research institutions and universities to apply for government funding to attract international scientists for long-term positions.

Other regions are also moving swiftly. Israel has allocated 1.95 million USD to a programme inviting experts to help address a shortage of personnel in the field of artificial intelligence. Meanwhile, Australia maintains an open framework to draw in high-quality talent from around the world, offering scholarships and financial support to outstanding scientists to work in the country.

Analysts point to several factors behind the increasingly fierce global competition for talent. Foremost is the demand for economic development. As the Fourth Industrial Revolution gathers pace worldwide, high-quality human resources have become a vital trump card, playing a decisive role in innovation and enhancing a nation’s competitiveness.

According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), countries with strong policies for attracting and honouring talent often maintain steady economic growth and high competitiveness in global markets. Many Asian countries, including the Republic of Korea, have been quick to embrace this trend. Recently, the Republic of Korea reaffirmed that securing top human capital is key to boosting competitiveness, unveiling a global talent recruitment programme focused on cutting-edge fields such as semiconductors, AI, and automation. Similarly, Indonesia has been vigorously promoting its “golden visa” scheme since 2024, targeting outstanding individual investors and businesses across various sectors.

Population ageing is another key driver behind talent attraction policies. Germany has shown its readiness to invest in developing itself an appealing destination for skilled labour, helping to address a widening workforce gap. With its rapidly ageing population, the German economy faces an annual shortfall of around 400,000 workers, a trend that could hinder medium-term growth. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the shortage of skilled labour has become a major challenge for the EU’s leading economy. German authorities stress the need to compete fiercely with other countries for quality human resources, as this is vital to the country’s economic future.

The WEF forecasts that more than 350 million people will move across borders by 2030, signalling a wave of global talent migration. Skilled workers tend to seek countries that offer attractive incentives, where they can build better lives for themselves and their families. In this context, the competition for “grey matter” is set to intensify, continuing to shape the sustainable development of every nation.