Back in July this column highlighted the importance of the Welsh diaspora and referenced a survey being undertaken by Global Welsh, an organisation dedicated to creating a global community for Welsh people and friends of Wales.
The aim of the survey was to gather insights about those who had left Wales to pursue careers elsewhere.
The results of that survey have now been published in a report titled Brain Drain to Brain Gain: Mobilising the Welsh Diaspora as Agents of Economic Change.
This report is the most comprehensive investigation ever conducted into the modern Welsh diaspora i.e. those individuals and communities who have left Wales but maintain connections to their homeland. With an estimated three to four million Welsh people living outside Wales, it provides critical insights into how this global community can help shape the future of the nation.
The study explores several critical questions, such as why Welsh people leave, what might encourage them to return, and how Wales can better engage with its global talent network. It also examines barriers to investment and identifies ways to transform brain drain into brain gain.
So, what does this new report tell us? Firstly, it reveals a remarkable level of entrepreneurial activity among the Welsh diaspora and nearly 500 businesses globally are led by Welsh entrepreneurs, many of whom operate in high-growth sectors such as technology, healthcare, renewables, and artificial intelligence.
This entrepreneurial network is already contributing directly to Wales, with a sizeable proportion of respondents involved in Welsh initiatives and their interest in expanding their businesses and investing in Wales demonstrates the untapped potential within this community. By supporting and engaging these entrepreneurs, Wales can drive economic growth and innovation on a global scale.
Secondly, the Welsh diaspora represents a highly skilled and educated workforce with a significant proportion of respondents holding advanced degrees and employed in key growth industries such as technology, creative industries, healthcare, finance, and engineering. Their expertise positions them as valuable contributors to Wales’s future development and most respondents expressed a willingness to engage in knowledge transfer, offering their skills and experience to benefit Wales through mentoring, collaborative research, or skills development.
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Finally, the study underscores the strength of the diaspora’s cultural connection to Wales with most respondents expressing deep pride in their Welsh identity, with many continuing to use the Welsh language abroad. Strong regional loyalties add another dimension, creating opportunities for targeted engagement that taps into local identities with many respondents having strong emotional ties to specific areas of Wales, a finding which could be leveraged for localised initiatives that can drive community-focused investments and stimulate regional economic development.
Whilst they have left their homeland, the study shows significant interest among recent emigrants in returning to Wales, particularly for family and career opportunities. However, economic conditions, housing, and social services remain barriers and addressing these challenges through improved policies and infrastructure could make returning to Wales a more attractive option for skilled individuals.
The diaspora also demonstrates a strong interest in investing in Wales, with many considering opportunities within the next year. However, gaps in knowledge about funding, the entrepreneurial ecosystem, and local talent availability hinder these efforts. Addressing these barriers could unlock significant investment potential.
Most important of all, the Welsh diaspora offers unparalleled economic and cultural opportunities for Wales. For example, the global network of nearly 500 Welsh-led businesses represents a powerful driver of economic growth and combined with the diaspora’s exceptional educational attainment and leadership in high-growth sectors, this community is poised to make significant contributions to Wales’s future.
This emotional connection to Wales provides a foundation for building lasting relationships. By supporting global Welsh communities and creating opportunities for participation in cultural events, Wales can strengthen its international profile while fostering a sense of belonging among its diaspora.
These individuals can also act as a cultural bridge between Wales and the world, maintaining traditions and promoting Welsh identity on an international stage with their pride in their heritage presenting an opportunity to elevate Wales’s global profile while fostering meaningful connections with its global community.
Therefore, this study makes it clear that the Welsh diaspora is a strategic asset for Wales. By addressing barriers and creating pathways for collaboration, Wales can transform the challenges of emigration into opportunities for growth. Whether through attracting skilled emigrants back home, facilitating investment, or amplifying cultural engagement, the diaspora holds the key to a brighter, more prosperous future for Wales.
With few significant economic opportunities currently on the horizon, there is now a real chance for Wales to invest in its global community and ensure that its people - wherever they may be - remain integral to its development and success in the future. The question is whether action will be taken to engage with the “Cymru ar wasgar” or if this will become another wasted opportunity for the nation.