What phenomenon occurs when a country experiences net emigration for a prolonged period?

The phenomenon referred to is brain drain, which occurs when a country experiences a prolonged period of net emigration, particularly of highly skilled or educated individuals. When a significant number of educated professionals leave their home country in search of better opportunities abroad, the country loses valuable human resources. This can result in various negative effects, such as a decrease in innovation, reduced economic growth, and challenges in maintaining adequate levels of workforce necessary for development.

In contrast, urban sprawl refers to the expansion of urban areas into surrounding rural land, often resulting in the spread of low-density development and can lead to issues like increased traffic congestion and environmental concerns. Social integration pertains to the process through which newcomers assimilate into a community, achieving a sense of belonging – this does not inherently involve emigration. Cultural assimilation is the process where individuals or groups from one culture adopt the characteristics of another culture, which is separate from the concept of emigration and its impact on human resources in a country.