BrainDrain has traditionally been connected with the migration of academics from

developing towards developed countries. Nowadays, on the contrary, also

developed countries suffer from BrainDrain. A new phenomenon of migration

within the developed countries has come to existence. This phenomenon is in

contradiction with the traditional theories about BrainDrain, which state that the

difference in financial opportunities is the main cause of the migration of

academics. So far, there has been very little research towards the causes of the

new phenomenon of BrainDrain. The purpose of this dissertation is to provide

deeper insights of the reasons of the migrants who move within the developed

countries.

The migration from Germany and Holland to Sweden is used as a case study.

Interviews with German and Dutch emigrants are applied to collect the

information for this investigation.

The main reasons for migration are the labor conditions, the natural environment

and the dissatisfaction with the society of the home country. These reasons

belong to the highest layer in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, namely selfactualization.

Remarkably, the emigrants expect to earn less in the country of

migration. However, the emigrants expect to have a better work-life-balance, for

example less stressful job conditions and better possibilities for a comfortable life

in the host country. Social contacts in the host country, positive experiences of

other emigrants and the easiness of finding a job are the most important

encouraging factors during the process of migration.