The Putin Exodus and Its Implications for Russia and the West

Human capital is fleeing Russia. Since President Vladimir Putin’s ascent to the presidency, between 1.6 and 2 million Russians – out of a total population of 145 million – have left for Western democracies. This emigration sped up with Putin’s return as president in 2012, followed by a weakening economy and growing repressions. It soon began to look like a politically driven brain drain, causing increasing concern among Russian and international observers. In his talk, Sergei Erofeev (Rutgers University) will present the findings of a report conducted by the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center, which offers a comprehensive analysis of the “Putin Exodus” and its implications for Russia and the West.