Syria faces "brain-drain" due to growing economic hardship amid ongoing conflict

Thirteen years after the outbreak of the Syrian civil war, the country is facing a huge "brain-drain" due to growing economic hardship, with many young people who grew up during the war forced to leave their homes in search of greener pastures.

The ongoing conflict is casting its shadow across the country, marked by widespread displacement, inadequate services, as well as infrastructure and economic collapse.

In the central Syrian province of Hama, towering mountains and long roads have not been able to ward off the consequences of the war from this place. Youssef is one of the most outstanding students from a remote mountainous village. After completing seven years of medical school, he decided to leave Syria and work in Germany.

Despite growing up in the midst of war, Youssef feels deeply attached to his hometown.

"I used to swim here when I was a child. I used to swim here. We used to play football on that field. I think it's obvious it's a football field. You see it, a little one. With my cousins and my neighbors and everyone, we used to play from sunrise to sunset," said Youssef.

In 2016, the war reached this remote village. Mortars sporadically landed in the village from the other side of the mountains, resulting in civilian casualties. For the next five or six years, Youssef and the others did not dare to go out.

"It's Idlib [the area controlled by armed opposition groups]. It's right there. It doesn't even have any army there, just the people. It was really sad. Some children died and women, a lot of innocent people (were killed). It's heartbreaking actually. Innocent people just standing, like we're now, having fun, suddenly a missile hit them. And this is really sad. I stayed in the house because it was really dangerous. It lasted actually from 2016 till now," said Youssef.

Before the war, Youssef's family was relatively well off. But after years of conflict, the family is left with almost nothing in hand due to currency devaluation. The average salary in the country is not enough to put food on the table, and young people see no future.

Youssef explained that aside from safety concerns, young people are forced to travel abroad to support themselves. He is his family's hope, and frequently sends money back to Syria to support them.

"The economic conditions are the main reason that force people to travel," said Youssef.

According to Syrian media, the country is losing 80 percent of its doctors and more than half of its engineers, professors and other skilled workers. The Syrian government has introduced a number of measures to help young people find jobs, in an attempt to mitigate the effects of the war.

A report in March by the United Nations (UN) said that 16.7 million people, which makes up roughly 75 percent of the Syrian population, are projected to require humanitarian assistance this year, the highest number of people in need since 2011.

Syria faces "brain-drain" due to growing economic hardship amid ongoing conflict

Syria faces "brain-drain" due to growing economic hardship amid ongoing conflict

Syria faces "brain-drain" due to growing economic hardship amid ongoing conflict

Syria faces "brain-drain" due to growing economic hardship amid ongoing conflict

Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) are accelerating Mexico City's shift to green transport, easing the squeeze of soaring fuel costs and choking pollution on local residents while drawing praise from drivers, commuters and city officials.

Chinese EVs now account for almost 90 percent of all battery-electric cars sold in Mexico, a dominance driven by soaring fuel costs and the city's pressing pollution problem, with vehicle emissions blamed for roughly 80 percent of Mexico City's nitrogen oxide.

Frank Velazquez, an automotive reviewer, spoke highly of the Chinese-made vehicles at a track event on the outskirts of the Mexican capital.

"I like it. I like the instant reaction from the car," he said.

Beyond performance, continuously rising gas prices give Mexican drivers another reason to make the switch, Velazquez noted, with many owners turning to battery electric vehicles (BEVs) or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs).

The shift, however, reaches beyond private cars, as Chinese-made buses are playing a pivotal role in Mexico City's drive to electrify its public transport system.

"I think it's much better. I think it pollutes less," said one resident, and another shared the sentiment, recalling the heavy pollution of the old buses and describing the fully electric vehicles now on the streets as a huge step forward for Mexico City.

The city has been expanding its electric bus system for several years. During the FIFA World Cup 2026, it assembled 800 new energy buses for the tournament, more than 95 percent of them Chinese-made, with Yutong, a leading coach maker based in central China's Henan Province, accounting for 85 percent alone.

For the drivers behind the wheel, the new buses bring advantages they can feel on every route.

"The old vehicles used to break down frequently, often leaving us in a difficult spot. The new ones, however, are equipped with accessible ramps and a height lowering feature, making it much easier for the elderly to get on and off. Additionally, more seats have been designated specifically for women. There are so many benefits," said bus driver Israel Espinosa Rodriguez.

Chinese bus makers' commitment extends well beyond vehicle delivery, reaching into the day-to-day servicing of the fleet.

By dispatching engineers to Mexico to train local technicians in vehicle maintenance and repair, they are helping drive down operating costs, savings that can then be channeled into expanding the transport network and adding routes to serve more passengers.

Martin Lopez Delgado, director general of Mexico City Electric Transport Service, has much to show for what the city has achieved with the help of Chinese technology.

"We have become a model for many South American countries. Meanwhile, people from various European countries and several U.S. states have visited our electric transport system to draw upon the experience we have gained over the years," he said.

Chinese EVs drive Mexico City's green shift with performance, full-system solutions

Chinese EVs drive Mexico City's green shift with performance, full-system solutions