IELTS Writing Task 2 sample answer (band score 8-9)
IELTS Essay # 1479 - Professionals are leaving their countries to work in developed countries
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IELTS Writing Task 2/ IELTS Essay:
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
An increasing number of professionals, such as doctors, engineers and teachers, are leaving their own poorer countries to work in developed countries.
What problems does this cause?
What solutions can you suggest to deal with this situation?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
Model Answer 1:
The emigration of skilled professionals from less affluent nations to developed countries has become a pervasive trend, giving rise to multifaceted problems while prompting the need for viable solutions. In this essay, I will suggest the problems that stem from this trend and also suggest possible solutions to this.
The permanent departure of professionals, particularly doctors, engineers, and educators, creates a substantial brain drain in their home countries. This exodus impairs local healthcare systems, reduces the number of experienced educators, and impedes the progress of critical infrastructure projects. Consequently, developing nations suffer from a shortage of skilled labour, hindering their socio-economic development. In India, for example, the brain drain of doctors is significant, with about 45% of Indian doctors who pass the exit examination migrating abroad for better career prospects, contributing to a shortfall of healthcare professionals and affecting the doctor-patient ratio.
Several strategies can be employed to mitigate the adverse effects of this phenomenon. Primarily, providing incentives and conducive working environments in home countries could dissuade professionals from seeking opportunities abroad. Governments should implement policies that offer competitive salaries, improved healthcare facilities, and career advancement prospects to retain skilled individuals. Moreover, fostering partnerships between developed and developing nations to facilitate knowledge exchange programmes can help strengthen the capacity of local professionals and institutions. Collaborative efforts in research, technology transfer, and training initiatives can enhance skill development and support the retention of professionals in their home countries. Furthermore, creating economic conditions conducive to investment and entrepreneurship can offer viable career prospects for skilled individuals in their native countries. This involves supporting local businesses, providing funding for start-ups, and encouraging innovation and technological advancements.
In conclusion, while the migration of professionals from poorer nations to affluent ones leads to significant challenges for the origin countries, implementing comprehensive policies that incentivize professionals to stay and contribute to their home countries' growth and development is imperative for a sustainable solution.
Model Answer 2:
In recent years, the migration of skilled professionals from developing nations to wealthier countries has become increasingly common. This global trend, while offering opportunities to individuals, creates serious issues for the home countries they leave behind. This essay aims to deal with the problems which this trend causes and propose two practical solutions to address them.
One major problem is the shortage of essential services in the countries these professionals depart from. When doctors, teachers, and engineers move abroad, their home countries are left struggling to meet the basic needs of the population. In particular, rural and underprivileged areas suffer from a lack of qualified educators and healthcare providers, leading to poor health outcomes and declining education standards. For example, in some African nations, a severe lack of doctors has made it nearly impossible to provide consistent medical care in remote regions.
Another significant issue is the decline in innovation and research capacity. Skilled professionals are often the driving force behind technological advancement and intellectual growth. Their absence can result in stagnation, as fewer people remain to lead scientific, medical, or engineering developments. This not only affects national progress but also reduces competitiveness in the global economy.
To tackle these issues, one effective solution is to improve working conditions and salaries. Governments can offer competitive remuneration packages, modern facilities, and professional development opportunities to retain their workforce. Countries like Malaysia and Brazil have implemented such policies with measurable success. Additionally, encouraging return migration is equally important. Skilled expatriates who return home bring valuable experience and expertise. Incentives such as tax relief, relocation assistance, or leadership roles in national institutions can be powerful motivators.
In conclusion, while the emigration of professionals poses serious threats to developing nations, solutions such as offering better working environments and encouraging return migration can help reduce the negative impact and restore balance.
Idea Generation for this IELTS Essay:
Essay question:
An increasing number of professionals, such as doctors, engineers and teachers, are leaving their own poorer countries to work in developed countries.
What problems does this cause?
What solutions can you suggest to deal with this situation?
Essay type:
Cause & Solution Essay.
The main question of this essay:
A) What problems are caused when professionals leave poorer countries to work in wealthier ones?
B) What solutions can address this growing issue?
Problems caused by the migration of professionals from poorer countries:
1. Shortage of essential services:
When highly skilled professionals such as doctors and teachers leave, the local population suffers from limited access to healthcare, education, and infrastructure. This can severely impact the quality of life and long-term development of the country. For example, many rural areas in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia experience critical shortages of doctors because most of them migrate to Western nations for better opportunities.
2. Widening development gap:
The migration of talent to developed countries increases the disparity between rich and poor nations. As developed nations gain more expertise, poorer countries continue to struggle with underdevelopment and brain drain. For instance, when engineers leave developing countries, infrastructure projects get delayed or abandoned due to a lack of skilled personnel.
3. Economic loss for the home country:
Governments invest substantial resources in training professionals who then leave without contributing to the local economy. This results in a poor return on public investment in education and training. For example, a country may fund a medical student’s education only for that doctor to emigrate and contribute to a foreign healthcare system.
4. Overdependence on foreign aid and expertise:
With the constant outflow of skilled professionals, poorer nations may become reliant on international aid or foreign workers, which is unsustainable in the long term. For instance, some countries hire foreign educators to fill gaps in schools, increasing dependency and reducing national autonomy.
5. Reduced innovation and intellectual growth:
The departure of creative and knowledgeable individuals weakens the country’s ability to conduct research and develop local solutions to national problems. For example, a lack of scientists and researchers in a country may hinder innovation in agriculture or renewable energy technologies.
Solutions to address this issue:
1. Improve working conditions and salaries:
Offering competitive salaries and better working environments can reduce the incentive for professionals to leave their home countries. For example, some Asian countries have increased doctor salaries to prevent them from emigrating to the West.
2. Create opportunities for professional growth:
Governments should provide advanced training, scholarships, and career advancement paths to retain talented individuals. For instance, offering research grants and leadership positions can motivate professionals to stay and grow locally.
3. National service or bonding schemes:
Countries can introduce contracts requiring graduates who received public funding to work locally for a certain number of years before seeking jobs abroad. For example, some nations mandate that medical graduates serve in rural hospitals for 3–5 years after graduation.
4. Strengthen patriotism and public service values:
Schools and institutions should instill a sense of national responsibility and pride in serving the country. For instance, public campaigns highlighting the importance of staying and serving the community can influence career decisions.
5. Encourage return migration:
Offering incentives for skilled migrants to return after gaining international experience can help bring expertise back home. For example, returnee programs with tax breaks or housing benefits have successfully attracted professionals back to countries like India and China.
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