The Bertelsmann Foundation recently published a study in which they researched which European countries held on to their most educated citizens and which attracted the most foreign brains. In terms of keeping brains the foundation reports "Belgium is at the head of the list with Luxemburg, far ahead of the other countries of Europe." Belgium only loses 20,000 people per year and gains 30,000 from other countries. At the other end of the list, one finds the Netherlands, Italy and Greece. For the Netherlands, the fact that they lose so many could be due to the very international outlook of its executives; for Italy and Greece it could lack of opportunity at home and lower salaries. In a subcategory: scientists and the highest executives, Belgium is once again at the top of the list right behind Luxemburg with a drain of only 10,000 and a gain of 20,000.
The position could be due in part by the high salaries and by the presence of so many important international organizations.