The Recent International Migration of ‘Knowledge Workers’ from Mercosur to Brazil

Abstract

Abstract: The understanding of migration in the twenty-first century involves the study of different migratory modalities, such as international migration of highly skilled professionals, especially in consideration of the international economic outlook and its social effects. This work seeks to understand how the migratory dynamic is established in a new context of brain circulation. For this purpose, the entry of knowledge workers of Mercosur origin into the formal labor market in Brazil is studied using data from the Relação Anual de Informações Sociais. Overall, there was an increase in qualified professionals from Mercosur countries coming to work in Brazil in recent years, possibly fostered by agreements between the countries concerned. The study also shows the high level of education, diversity of nationalities and entry into different occupations among knowledge workers from Mercosur entering into the formal market in Brazil.