The Talent Competitiveness Gap in Iran: Emphasis on University Graduates

Abstract
The outflow of intellectual capital and the depletion of Iran’s human potential have become a serious crisis. The productivity of Iran’s abundant human capital faces major structural barriers, and an analysis of the Seventh National Development Plan offers no effective path forward. This mixed-methods study is based on the framework of the Global Talent Competitiveness Index (GTCI). Among 134 countries, despite Iran’s relatively high rankings in aggregate human and intellectual capital indicators -such as population with tertiary education (45), workforce with tertiary education (48), number of researchers (43), scientific journal articles (40), R&D expenditure (46), as well as improvements in university rankings (46) and enterprise software (16)- the country’s position in the quality of national talent competitiveness outcomes remains very poor due to weak institutional performance, structures, and policies: overall ranking (116), system enable (114), talent attraction (134!), talent grow (96), talent retention (104), and vocational and technical skills (97).
In the qualitative phase, using grounded theory (revised Glaser version) and thematic analysis of structured, in-depth interviews with 32 key informants across eight groups, a conceptual model and quantitative measurement tool were developed. In the quantitative phase, a stratified, multi-stage survey of 3,000 graduates was conducted. By adopting an outward-looking approach and employing statistical models and predictive frameworks, we sought to identify patterns and manifestations of talent-related challenges.
Findings reveal that Iran’s greatest deficiencies at the national level include transparency, international economic collaboration, R&D employment opportunities, internet access, social inclusion and equality of opportunity, gender equality, national empowerment, and decentralization. At the university level, shortcomings include institutional autonomy, foreign investment, international faculty, and incorporation of student feedback. These barriers have undermined Iran’s ability to identify, attract, employ, engage, retain, and develop talent effectively. Moreover, differences in perceptions and expectations were observed between male and female graduates and across three generational cohorts. The study highlights the critical importance of graduate surveys as a tool for policy and reform.