Brain drain is a specific form of population migration that represents the departure of highly educated population (experts, scientists and intellectuals) from individual state. (Šverko, 2004).

In Croatia, like in the other parts of the world, brain drain appears to be one of the consequences of the unemployment problem. This form of migration has a very negative and even destructive effect on the society in which it occurs.

This research investigates extents (personal estimation) and determinants of potential brain drain among University of Zagreb students. Based on extensive literature review hypothesis were defined and tested by using neural networks and AHP method. Data about potential brain drain were collected among 1323 students from all University of Zagreb faculties. Thus, research covered all seven scientific fields from University (arts, biomedicine, biotechnology, engineering, humanities, natural sciences and social sciences). Results indicated differences in probability to leave the country after graduation between students from different study fields and students of different socio-economic status. Pull factors are more important for students from push factors in every scientific fields except arts.

In the period between the 2004 and 2014 intended departure of highly educated people from the Republic of Croatia has changed drastically. Namely Šverko (2004) states that the largest percentage of respondents (59.2%) expressed no or low probability of departure, and only 9.3% of respondents said that it is a big or very big. Our research found out that most respondents have no intention of high intensity to leave their homeland (37%), while 30% of respondents estimated the probability of going abroad such as no or little.

The results of this study are potentially useful on the institutional and the national level. Projections of results on national level should be very interesting to the ministries which are focused on education and employment since they are the ones who develop the policies to react on brain drain. Creating the policies for stopping the brain drain should go in a way of opening new work places but also in ways to make life quality better while creating the environment of positive economic climate.