{"id":14164,"date":"2025-11-23T13:04:53","date_gmt":"2025-11-23T12:04:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/martin-vlachynsky-the-biggest-risk-is-brain-drain-however-slovakia-still-has-something-to-show-the-world\/"},"modified":"2025-11-23T13:04:53","modified_gmt":"2025-11-23T12:04:53","slug":"martin-vlachynsky-the-biggest-risk-is-brain-drain-however-slovakia-still-has-something-to-show-the-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/en\/martin-vlachynsky-the-biggest-risk-is-brain-drain-however-slovakia-still-has-something-to-show-the-world\/","title":{"rendered":"Martin Vlachynsk\u00fd: The biggest risk is brain drain. However, Slovakia still has something to show the world"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Slovak industry is changing faster than ever before. Innovations, new technologies, green transformation, and the globalization of production create both pressure and opportunities. We discussed what is currently driving the Slovak business environment with    <\/span><b>Martin Vlachynsk\u00fd<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, an analyst at INESS \u2013 Institute of Economic and Social Analyses.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Martin studied economic policy in Brno, as well as management, economics, and international relations in Aberdeen. He has been with INESS since 2012 and has long focused on the business environment and competitiveness, especially in healthcare. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-14159 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DSC02394-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DSC02394-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DSC02394-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DSC02394-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DSC02394-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DSC02394-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DSC02394-1920x1280.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DSC02394-1600x1067.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DSC02394-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DSC02394-767x511.jpg 767w, https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DSC02394-420x280.jpg 420w, https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DSC02394-20x13.jpg 20w, https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DSC02394-10x7.jpg 10w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Talent is Draining away, and Data Confirms This<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What Martin identifies as the biggest problem is also reflected in the latest figures. According to TASR, Slovakia finished in the   <\/span><b>IMD World Talent Ranking 2025<\/b>, ranking <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>58th out of 69 countries<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> when it comes to attracting talent.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The situation in key areas is even more serious:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">brain drain \u2013 last place<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">quality of higher education \u2013 68th place<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">primary and secondary education \u2013 65th place<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">availability of skilled workforce \u2013 64th place<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">ability to attract foreign experts \u2013 68th place<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In other words: <\/span><b>talent is draining away, we cannot replace it, and we are unable to attract new talent<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Martin also highlights this.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/M1JRxat5r5Y?si=_mZrpF7WRRX6_mFa\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2><strong>The biggest risk? Definitely brain drain <\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When asked about the biggest risks and opportunities for Slovak companies, Martin speaks clearly:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em><b>\u201cI see the biggest risk in brain drain, in the outflow of young people that we are experiencing, and where I don&#8217;t yet see a complete solution that would change this.\u201d<\/b><\/em><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He adds that capital can be attracted and infrastructure built. But if talent leaves, their return is very difficult. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nevertheless, he also sees an important positive factor: <\/span><em><b>\u201cSlovakia is part of Central Europe\u2026 and I think we still have the capacity to show the world many things, just as we were able to show them perhaps twenty years ago.\u201d<\/b><\/em><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, the potential is still here \u2013 we just need to utilize it.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-13303 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Martin-Vlachynsky-1-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Martin-Vlachynsky-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Martin-Vlachynsky-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Martin-Vlachynsky-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Martin-Vlachynsky-1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Martin-Vlachynsky-1-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Martin-Vlachynsky-1-1920x1440.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Martin-Vlachynsky-1-1600x1200.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Martin-Vlachynsky-1-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Martin-Vlachynsky-1-767x575.jpg 767w, https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Martin-Vlachynsky-1-420x315.jpg 420w, https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Martin-Vlachynsky-1-20x15.jpg 20w, https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Martin-Vlachynsky-1-10x8.jpg 10w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>How to motivate young people to stay? There is no simple solution <\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Brain drain is a problem that politicians, universities, and companies are trying to solve. But according to Martin, it cannot be solved with a single measure: <\/span><\/p>\n<p><em><b>\u201cSimple methods like &#8216;I&#8217;ll give a scholarship, I&#8217;ll pay&#8217; don&#8217;t work \u2013 young people won&#8217;t listen to this\u2026 everyone, when they are twenty, looks at a bigger picture.\u201d<\/b><\/em><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Young people are looking for a complete package \u2013 a place where they can grow professionally, start a family, and have a quality environment for both life and leisure.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cCompanies and universities must unite to jointly offer such a package for an attractive future.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<h2><strong>The atmosphere is what matters. Not the crisis <\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Energy, inflation, demographics, or low growth can act as serious threats. Nevertheless, Martin adds:   <\/span><em><b>\u201cI wouldn&#8217;t say that the mere fact of a crisis\u2026 is so daunting.\u201d<\/b><\/em><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He reminds us of countries that grew precisely during times of great challenges \u2013 Germany, Israel, Japan.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The reason? <\/span><em><b>\u201cThere was enthusiasm\u2026 culture\u2026 a drive to do something better.\u201d<\/b><\/em><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And that&#8217;s exactly what he believes we need here too.  <\/span><em>\u201cThese things can be overcome with enthusiasm, effort, diligence, and innovation. We just need to have that faith within us, and someone needs to ignite that faith in people that we can truly do it.\u201d <\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-14161 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DSC02396-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DSC02396-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DSC02396-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DSC02396-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DSC02396-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DSC02396-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DSC02396-1920x1280.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DSC02396-1600x1067.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DSC02396-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DSC02396-767x511.jpg 767w, https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DSC02396-420x280.jpg 420w, https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DSC02396-20x13.jpg 20w, https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DSC02396-10x7.jpg 10w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Slovakia Has a Chance to Grow \u2013 if We Believe We Have What it Takes<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The interview with Martin Vlachynsk\u00fd clearly shows that the challenges are significant \u2013 but the potential is even greater. Slovakia has the location, experience, capable people, and room for innovation. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What we need most right now is:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a unified vision,<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">modern education,<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">strong cooperation between companies and universities,<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">quality conditions for life and growth,<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and an atmosphere that gives young people a clear signal that it makes sense to stay here.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The future of Slovakia will not depend on one institution. It will depend on all of us. <\/span><\/p>\n<p>TEXT: Nat\u00e1lia Sta\u0161\u00edkov\u00e1<br \/>\nPHOTO: INOVATO<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Slovak industry is changing faster than ever before. Innovations, new technologies, green transformation, and the globalization of production create both pressure and opportunities. We discussed what is currently driving the Slovak business environment with Martin Vlachynsk\u00fd, an analyst at INESS \u2013 Institute of Economic and Social Analyses. Martin studied economic policy in Brno, as well as management, economics, and international relations in Aberdeen. He has been with INESS since 2012 and has long focused on the business environment and competitiveness, especially in healthcare. Talent is Draining away, and Data Confirms [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":14158,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14164","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14164","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/16"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14164"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14164\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14158"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14164"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14164"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stg.inova.to\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14164"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}