The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) is calling on Caribbean nations to adopt a more coordinated and strategic approach to high-skilled migration, describing it as both a challenge and a potential driver of sustainable development.
The call came during the recent High-Skilled Migration in the Caribbean Forum, hosted by the World Bank and PIOJ at the ROK Hotel in downtown Kingston. Speaking on behalf of PIOJ Director General Dr. Wayne Henry, the agency’s Director of Social Policy, Planning and Research, Easton Williams, urged regional stakeholders to embrace new migration policies that better align with national development goals.
Dr. Henry noted that the Caribbean has long grappled with the emigration of tertiary-trained professionals, particularly to the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. Citing recent data from a World Bank study, he highlighted that between 60% and over 80% of tertiary-educated individuals from English-speaking Caribbean nations now reside in OECD countries — the highest rate globally.
“This is not a new issue, but our responses have so far failed to stem the tide,” said Dr. Henry. “We must pivot to strategies that turn this pattern into an asset rather than a loss.”
He stressed the need for comprehensive policy frameworks that can harness the benefits of high-skilled migration through mechanisms like diaspora engagement, skills-sharing programs, and regional partnerships. Dr. Henry also warned that without action, the region risks falling further behind, particularly as it faces mounting demographic pressures.
“The Caribbean is currently the fastest ageing region in the world,” he said. “With fertility rates below replacement level and continued emigration, we are seeing shrinking school-age and working-age populations. This will inevitably strain our economies and social protection systems.”
He added that the ageing population — with persons over 60 now the fastest-growing age group — adds urgency to the migration debate, as fewer workers will be supporting a growing dependent population.
The forum also served as the regional launch for the World Bank’s study on high-skilled migration in the Caribbean, which offers data-driven insights and policy options for managing the outflow of skilled labor.
Dr. Henry challenged attendees to use the findings to rethink how migration can fuel innovation, resilience, and economic growth in the Caribbean.
“The conversations and policies we shape today may mark a turning point in securing the future of our region,” he said.
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