Abstract Background and Objectives: The migration of healthcare workers from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to high-income countries (HICs) exacerbates healthcare disparities. Egypt faces a severe "brain drain" of medical professionals, with over 12,000 physicians emigrating between 2010–2020 1. Limited research explores motivations among medical students, a critical cohort shaping future healthcare workforce stability. Objectives This study measures the prevalence of migration intentions among Egyptian medical students and identifies financial, professional, and sociopolitical drivers. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was administered to 178 medical students across three Egyptian universities. Descriptive statistics analyzed sociodemographics, salary satisfaction, workload, and sociopolitical perceptions. Results: 85% of students expressed migration intentions. Primary drivers included financial dissatisfaction (84% cited inadequate salaries), poor working conditions (82%), and lack of societal recognition (44%). Negative media portrayal of physicians (81%) and workplace safety concerns (71%) further motivated emigration. Conclusions: Urgent reforms are needed to retain Egypt’s medical workforce, including salary restructuring, improved working conditions, and public campaigns to enhance societal respect for healthcare professionals.
Ayman et al. (Thu,) studied this question.