International trade in services gained worldwide recognition with the 1994 GATT Agreements in Marrakech. Its predominant role in international exchanges as well as its contribution to the development of a global economy is now widely acknowledged. An essential component of trade in services is cross-border movements of service providers. However, contemporary literature has focused on skilled migration in general without paying much attention to this major constituent and has resulted in confusion. On the one hand, there are international movements of skilled transients who emigrate for individual reasons in a long term perspective. On the other hand, there are skilled temporary migrants who perform services abroad without the intention or right to settle or seek employment in the host country. This study aims to clarify these differences using the example provided by the Asian Pacific region. Moreover, this study shows that the dynamics of skilled international migration is largely determined by the circulatory movement of skills of international service providers and has emerged as an essential component of economic development strategy of the countries in the region.

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Pacific services trade economics population demography developing country Population Dynamics labour migration Developing Countries Asia socioeconomic status trade in services skilled labour Temporary Migration Commerce Oceania social status economic development labor migration Socioeconomic Factors Pacific islands socioeconomics commercial phenomena Article employment status migration international migration Demographic Factors Emigration and Immigration Economic Factors Transients and Migrants social class Macroeconomic Factors employment Occupational Status international trade