Published on
October 27, 2025
Canada has become a key destination for Turkish graduates seeking to further their careers and education abroad, joining the ranks of the US, Netherlands, UK, and Germany as the top choices for those pursuing international opportunities. This shift reflects Turkey’s ongoing brain drain, as an increasing number of highly skilled professionals look beyond their borders for better career prospects and academic growth. Canada’s strong economy, inclusive immigration policies, and flourishing job market in fields like business, technology, and engineering have made it an attractive option for Turkish graduates. Moreover, its multicultural society, high quality of life, and excellent educational institutions further solidify Canada’s place as a preferred destination for those seeking to expand their global horizons. As Turkish graduates increasingly seek opportunities in these leading countries, Canada’s rise as a primary destination highlights the growing trend of skilled migration and the search for environments that foster innovation and personal development.
In 2024, the United States emerged as the leading destination for Turkish university graduates seeking to further their careers and education abroad. According to the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK), nearly 20% of graduates who emigrated chose the U.S. as their new home, maintaining a long-standing trend of skilled professionals seeking opportunities in the U.S. Other countries that followed closely behind as popular destinations for Turkish graduates were Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Canada.
This trend reflects a growing migration of Turkish talent, with many graduates seeking better career prospects and enhanced living standards. Among those heading to the U.S., electrical and electronics engineering graduates made up the largest proportion, indicating the high demand for technical expertise in America’s expanding tech industries. Graduates in computer engineering, on the other hand, were more likely to settle in Germany, the U.K., or the Netherlands—countries renowned for their advanced technological and research sectors. Business graduates were most likely to migrate to Canada, which offers a supportive environment for professionals in finance and business management.
Despite this ongoing outflow, the overall rate of emigration among Turkish higher education graduates remained stable at 2% in 2024, the same as the previous year. This consistency suggests that the trend of highly skilled individuals pursuing opportunities abroad continues, despite global challenges. Many graduates are attracted to nations with booming technology, engineering, and science sectors, which offer the prospects of stable careers and cutting-edge research opportunities.
The highest rates of migration were seen in specific fields of study, with graduates in information and communication technologies (ICT), engineering, and natural sciences particularly inclined to move abroad. These fields continue to thrive in countries with established industries that value highly skilled labor. Molecular biology and genetics graduates, for example, had the highest emigration rates, followed by graduates in business engineering, electronics engineering, mathematics engineering, and bioengineering. The demand for skilled professionals in these areas is growing globally, making countries with advanced research and innovation sectors highly appealing to Turkish graduates.
The data also revealed a distinct difference in emigration patterns between graduates from private and public universities. Graduates from private universities had a significantly higher emigration rate, standing at 4.3%, compared to just 1.7% for public university graduates. This suggests that graduates from private institutions—often offering specialized programs and superior resources—are more likely to seek opportunities abroad. Furthermore, among private university graduates, those who were on full scholarships exhibited the highest emigration rate. The financial support provided by scholarships could be enabling these graduates to pursue their ambitions in international job markets, free from financial burdens.
Language also appears to influence emigration decisions. Graduates who studied in French exhibited the highest emigration rate, followed by those who studied in English, German, and Russian. This suggests that French-speaking graduates are often drawn to countries where French is an official language, such as France, Canada, and some African nations. English, as a global business and academic language, also influenced the migration patterns of graduates from English-language programs, particularly in countries like the U.S., the U.K., and Canada. Similarly, German-speaking graduates are likely to choose countries where German is a key language of business and research, such as Germany and Switzerland.
These trends highlight a significant challenge for Turkey as it continues to see a steady outflow of its educated youth. The emigration of highly skilled professionals, particularly in fields like technology and engineering, could create a talent gap that may hinder Turkey’s economic development and innovation potential. To address this challenge, there is a pressing need for policy initiatives aimed at retaining talent within Turkey. Fostering an environment that supports innovation, research, and career growth could help retain more graduates and reduce the country’s reliance on foreign talent.
The government, universities, and private sector must work together to create opportunities that encourage graduates to remain in Turkey, or even return after gaining international experience. Initiatives that focus on enhancing the quality of research and development, creating more job opportunities in high-tech industries, and offering attractive financial and career incentives could help curb the brain drain and keep Turkey competitive in global markets.
Canada has emerged as a leading destination for Turkish graduates, joining the US, Netherlands, UK, and Germany, due to its strong economy, welcoming immigration policies, and robust job market in fields like business, technology, and engineering. This reflects Turkey’s ongoing brain drain as graduates seek better career and educational opportunities abroad.
Ultimately, the future of Turkey’s talent retention will depend on how effectively the country can adapt to these migration trends and create an environment where skilled professionals can thrive. Only by addressing these challenges can Turkey ensure that its brightest minds are contributing to the nation’s growth and prosperity.
