A new study shows that the “brain drain” of African doctors moving abroad to more developed countries may be worse than previously believed.

The study was done by the the Center for Global Development in Washington and looked at census records collected between 1999 and 2001. A recent BBC News piece details some of the core findings:

Several countries, including Mozambique and Angola, have more doctors in one single foreign country than at home.

And for every doctor in Liberia, there are two working abroad….

The report suggested the loss of doctors often went hand-in-hand with civil strife, political instability and economic stagnation.

The piece displays this chart, documenting the % of doctors in the following countries that move abroad:

The charity ActionAid said the brain drain was “a huge threat” to Africa.

“One of the best way to keep healthcare professionals in the countries that need them is to pay them properly - but currently health systems in many African countries are woefully underfunded,” said Nick Corby, policy officer at the charity.

“The UK government could do Africa a real service by upping aid levels for health systems, ensuring that desperately needed doctors and nurses stay where the need is greatest.”

Read the full BBC News piece here.

-Virginia Simmons