On June 7th, 2022, the NGO "SEE in Action" presented the study on Brain Drain in Greece and Northern Macedonia, funded by KAS Greece & Cyprus, to the public. The NGO works to connect young people in Southeast Europe and promotes addressing social problems. In addition to the representatives of SEE in Action, Research Director George Sakas and Prof. Nikos Marantzidis, Department of Balkan, Slavic and Oriental Studies, from the University of Macedonia also reported and classified the results.

The study among 420 young Greeks and 414 Macedonians showed that despite a positive opinion of their own higher education system in certain parts, a not insignificant number of young adults from both countries (53% and 40%) would like to go abroad to study and later work. Reasons for this include a higher quality of life, better working conditions and opportunities, higher salaries and too few good job opportunities in their home country. Many students abroad were satisfied with their situation there, but some also said they would like to return to their home countries if they had better opportunities in professional life there.

Prof. Marantzidis classified the findings of the study as alarming and a sign of a serious problem not only for Greece and Northern Macedonia, but for the entire Balkan region. The study makes the abstract concept of brain drain more tangible by means of practical findings and thus emphasises its relevance. In view of the figures presented, the issue of brain drain must be given greater attention and solutions must be put in place.