Alessandro Palombo Profile picture
Jan 2 18 tweets 6 min read Read on X
This is India:

- 11% of Fortune 500 CEOs
- 90+ unicorn founders are Indian-born
- 1/3 of all engineers in Silicon Valley are from India

Why have they all left India to succeed?

Here's the hidden truth about the world's most controversial brain drain 🧵: Image
First, let's understand the scale of this exodus:

- 1.3M Indians left between 2015-2022
- 225,000 renounced citizenship in 2022 alone
- 1.5M Indian students studying overseas

This isn't just migration…it's a transformation of global leadership.
The economic impact is staggering:

- IT sector missing $15-20B yearly potential
- Shortage of 2.4M doctors
- $160B lost annually to brain drain

For perspective:

That's more than India's entire defense budget (~$74.3B). Image
Look at the paradox:

India simultaneously:

- Leads global tech companies
- Produces top innovators
- Creates world-class talent

Yet struggles to keep any of them.

The reason? There are a few key factors…
The reality on the ground:

- 7.33% unemployment rate (2022)
- Significantly lower wages than global standards
- Limited R&D investment
- Restricted innovation opportunities

This creates a powerful push factor.
But here's where it gets interesting…

While India loses talent, it gains something else:

- Massive remittance inflows
- Global knowledge transfer
- International influence

A hidden advantage that will only strengthen as global mobility increases.
The story is clear:

- Microsoft
- Google
- Adobe
- IBM

All run by Indians who left India.

But now something fascinating is happening... Image
India's trying to reverse the flow:

- Increased R&D investment
- Competitive salary structures
- Enhanced education systems
- Tax benefits for returners

@andreijikh breaks down India’s future potential here:
But there’s a race against time in the background…

By 2030:

- India will have world's largest working-age population
- Global demand for talent will surge
- Competition for skilled professionals will intensify
This creates an unprecedented opportunity:

India isn't just losing talent.

It's creating a global network of influence.

Think about it:

While China builds ports, India builds the most powerful partnerships and knowledge expansion through its people.
The future will be fascinating:

India must balance:

- Talent retention
- Global diaspora benefits
- Economic growth
- Innovation capacity

As they race to become a developed nation by 2047. Image
The hidden truth about India's brain drain?

It's not just about loss, but transformation.

Sometimes the biggest exports aren't products.

They're people who change the world.

This is the new “oil” that nations will compete for.

The Global Talent Competitiveness Index 2023: Image
I lived in India pre-COVID for 6 months.

The energy was incredible.

Vibrant is an understatement with constant evolution and new shops and businesses starting up every day.

Perhaps the polar opposite to Europe… Image
However, there are undoubtedly many challenges ahead for India.

Amidst all the drama about H-1B visas, Taiwan just yesterday announced a new visa program specifically for skilled Indian workers. Image
And for a full deep-dive into the H-1B visa situation this thread by @RobertMSterling breaks things down excellently.

The extent of the situation with India is certainly alarming.
That all said, the collective spirit of “we can do it” will prevail there I believe – it’s a matter of time.

Of course there are obstacles, but with the expertise and influence that Indians have accrued over the years…

The Indian bull run will surely be quite the spectacle. Image
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More from @thealepalombo

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Built businesses and helped many relocate there successfully.

I get asked often: "What's the best way to actually move to Dubai in 2025?"

Here are the 3 best pathways:

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10 years ago, most entrepreneurs had to incorporate a company to get Dubai residency.

Now? Three pathways exist:

1. Digital Nomad Visa
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Let me break down why option 3 is the overlooked opportunity:
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I'm European.

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My take:

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Here's the raw truth about Italy in 2025 - the magic, the dysfunction, and why it might be exactly what you need: Image
My honest take:

Italy is where all of Europe's problems concentrate into a majestic, chaotic mess.

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2,000+ years of history. Irreplicable.

6 reasons why Italy in 2025 is either your dream or nightmare: Image
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€10M income:
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No wealth tax. No inheritance tax. No asset disclosure.

Milan's luxury real estate up 12% as billionaires flee London. Image
Image
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This is Czechia:

- 0% wealth tax
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Previously socialist, it's now one of the most libertarian societies in the EU.

Here are 8 reasons why the Czech Republic should be on your radar: Image
First, some context…

Czechia has a fascinating history spanning:

- Medieval Kingdom of Bohemia
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It's become a quietly thriving country that chooses freedom over conformity.
A small country that has a fascinating resume…

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The wealthy don't protest. They exit.

10,800 millionaires left the UK in 2024 - a 157% surge from 2023.

But if you’re leaving and want to match London's infrastructure and have a European lifestyle...

Where do you go?

Here's my realistic list of alternatives in 2025: Image
I've been commenting on this exodus for months…

The UK punished success.

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- Capital gains jumped from 20% to 24% overnight.
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The impact?.. Image
The exodus numbers:

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- 13,000 profitable companies voluntarily shut down rather than face new tax burdens

But for those leaving, here’s the challenge… Image
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