Tech companies are increasingly poaching talent from one another as businesses jostle to stay ahead of the game.
Governments are also investing heavily in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) as they race for global expertise, according to a new report from staffing firm SThree.
More than one in three STEM professionals surveyed (35%) say rival firms approached them about overseas roles in the past year.
“All the major STEM nations are betting on scientists, engineers, innovators and technologists to power their economies. This is resulting in huge movements of people, mostly top technical talent attracted to roles in developed STEM economies,” said Timo Lehne, CEO of SThree.
The STEM Workforce Report shows the scale of talent poaching across six of the sector's major economies. These are the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Together, the six focus countries account for about half of global R&D spending and international patent filings, underlining their importance in the global STEM landscape. The survey covered 5,391 adults and was carried out in July and August 2025.
The share of STEM workers approached for overseas roles varies by country. The UAE and Japan are outliers at opposite ends of the scale, at 56% and 5% respectively. Three European countries sit close to the overall average of 35%. The Netherlands has the highest share at 44%, followed by Germany at 37%. In the UK, 31% of STEM workers were approached in the past 12 months at the time of the survey.
These figures reflect where workers live, not their citizenship.
The report saysfierce competition for scientists, engineers, and technologists is fuelled by the international rise of protectionist trade and industrial policies, encouraging massive public investment in tech.
One in five set to move abroad in 2026
One in five STEM workers (19%) plan to move abroad in the next 12 months or are already in the process of doing so, the survey shows. The Netherlands ranks second at 30%, behind the UAE at 34%. The figure is 22% in Germany and 13% in the UK.
“STEM professionals are moving not only for higher pay, but also for quality of life, career development, and balance. Competitiveness is no longer just about salaries, it’s about creating the conditions where people want to build their futures,” said Lehne.
Among those planning or already in the process of moving abroad for work, more than half (57%) have already accepted new roles.
This suggests as much as 11% of the global STEM workforce could be on the move within the next 12 months. This period covers late 2025 but mostly 2026.
What motivates workers to look abroad?
STEM workers are driven abroad for many reasons, including professional goals, lifestyle goals, and economic pressures. Two factors stand out for those considering relocation: better quality of life and higher salaries.
One in three respondents (32%) cite ‘better quality of life’ as a reason for relocating, while this figure rises to 44% in the UK, suggesting individuals are dissatisfied with the lifestyle on offer.
Globally, financial incentives remain a strong draw for a further one in three (31%), perhaps reflecting the sustained impact of recent inflationary pressures.
Among focus countries, respondents in the UAE (39%) and the UK (38%) are most likely to say they would relocate for better pay.
Better work-life balance ranks as the third most pivotal pull factor, with the UK recording the highest share at 33%.
Where are they going?
The report finds that workers are moving in overlapping flows, with talent from the UAE flowing towards Europe, the UK, and North America, while the STEM professionals in the UK look to Europe, Australia, and the US. The employees in the US are often exploring opportunities in Europe, the UK, and Canada.
In Germany, 39% of STEM leaders have already seen talent leave for other countries in the last year. The three main destinations were the US, Switzerland, and Canada.
For those moving to the US, the main motivators were higher salaries and abundant career and research opportunities, particularly within the IT and technology sectors.
For those choosing Switzerland, key pull factors were higher salaries and a strong pharmaceutical technology industry.
On the other hand, those choosing Canada were drawn there for the quality of life, welcoming immigration policies, and thriving technology hubs.
“The outcome isn’t a one-way brain drain, but a global exchange of expertise,” the report concluded.
