Determinants of Spatial Distribution of Highly Skilled Diasporas of Five ASEAN Countries

Highly skilled diasporas are increasingly being recognized as valuable transnational resources for the economic development of their respective home countries. This study investigates the macro-level forces that have driven the spatial distribution of the highly skilled diasporas of five ASEAN countries, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. In this paper, seemingly unrelated regressions (SUR) are developed, based on the augmented gravity model of migration. The findings reveal that diaspora stocks, market size, and development level in the destination country are significant determinants. To benefit from the heterogeneity of diasporic resources, the ASEAN-5 countries should establish collaborative mechanisms to mobilize their collective pool of diasporas for economic development.