Ma, L., Sun, W., Wang, Z. and van Oort, F. (2026). Attracting Top Talent: Analyzing Local Policies in China With Economists' CV Data Journal of Regional Science, 66(3):978--998.

Top high-skilled professionals, such as academics, teachers, doctors, and engineers, play a critical role in driving localized innovation and economic growth. Although extensive research exists on international talent mobility, there is limited evidence on their intranational movement. This study closely analyses a large-scale talent-attraction policy implemented in Chinese cities to relocate top high-skilled workers. Using a unique, hand-collected dataset of CVs from all economics faculty members in China (2014 to 2018), we find that these policies significantly influence locational choices, favoring cities in more developed regions. Our findings urge local governments to reconsider the effectiveness of such policies in less developed areas and cities experiencing brain-drain, and warn for increased economic inequalities in the long-term.