Spatio-temporal dynamics and strategic mechanisms of global talent agglomeration in the United States since the 21st century: A case study of international students

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1004-9479.2026.02.20250583

Abstract

Abstract:

In the context of increasingly fierce global competition for talents, the mobility and agglomeration of international talent have become a key focus for governments and academia. This paper examines the spatio-temporal evolution and strategic mechanisms of global talent agglomeration in the United States since the 21st century, using international students as a case study, aiming to uncover the underlying logic of U.S. global talent competition. The findings reveal that: ① The ambivalent attitude of American society toward international talent—both reliant and exclusionary—has led to fluctuations in the overall scale of international talent concentration. However, the proportion of foreign doctorate holders in high-end fields continues to grow, and the rate of those remaining in the United States for work remains consistently high, reflecting a significant structural dependence on international talent. ② The U.S. demonstrates distinct disciplinary lock-in effects, primarily concentrating on applied basic research in the "Pasteur's Quadrant" with engineering, mathematics & computer science, and business & management remaining the three core fields for international student agglomeration, while humanities attract a shrinking minority. ③ The funding structure for talent agglomeration has been reconfigured, shifting from universities to non-governmental entities—including corporations, foundations, and industry associations,enhancing the opacity and diversity of U.S. global talent competition. ④ The U.S. strategic mechanisms for talent agglomeration are characterized by decentralization and concealment, deeply embedded in complex policy networks spanning immigration, education, innovation, and industrial development, and implemented through "altruistic" international engagements such as academic exchanges, talent cultivation, scientific collaboration, and humanitarian aid. This study expands theoretical understandings of global talent competition, offering insights into China's talent agglomeration strategies.

Key words: global talent competition, transnational talent mobility, talent strategy, international students, United States

摘要：

在全球人才竞争日益激烈的背景下，国际人才流动与集聚成为政府与学术界关注的焦点。本文以国际留学生为例，系统考察21世纪以来美国汇聚国际人才的时空演变特征及其背后的战略机制，旨在揭示美国参与全球人才竞争的内在逻辑。研究发现：①美国社会对国际人才既依赖又排斥的矛盾心理，导致其国际人才集聚规模虽呈波动态势，但高端领域外国博士占比持续增长且留美工作比例持续处于高位，反映出其对国际人才存在显著的结构性依赖。②美国在集聚国际人才方面，呈现明显的学科锁定特征，吸引和汇聚的人才主要聚焦于“巴斯德象限”的应用导向型基础研究领域，工程科学、数学与计算机科学、商业与管理长期是在美国际留学生的三大核心领域；相较之下，人文学科的留学生占比不仅较低，且呈持续下降趋势。③美国集聚国际人才的资助结构发生了重构，资助主体从高校转向非政府机构，包括企业、基金会和行业协会，强化了其全球人才竞争的隐蔽性与多元性特征。④美国集聚国际人才的战略机制具有分散性和隐蔽性两大特点，其人才集聚战略深度嵌入移民政策、教育体系、科技创新和产业发展等复杂政策网络中，并通过国际交流、人才培养、科技合作和人道主义援助等“利他性”国际交往形式加以实施。本研究拓展了国际人才竞争的理论认知，以期为中国制定人才集聚战略提供参考。

关键词: 国际人才竞争, 人才跨国流动, 人才战略, 留学生, 美国

Chunguang HOU, Yufei GU, Xionghe QIN, Xiang ZHANG. Spatio-temporal dynamics and strategic mechanisms of global talent agglomeration in the United States since the 21st century: A case study of international students[J]. World Regional Studies, 2026, 35(2): 1-17.

侯纯光, 谷雨菲, 覃雄合, 张祥. 21世纪以来美国集聚国际人才的时空动态及战略机制——以国际留学生为例[J]. 世界地理研究, 2026, 35(2): 1-17.

Figures/Tables 9

Fig.1 Temporal dynamics of international student agglomeration in the U.S.

Fig. 2 Evolution of international students’ share in the U.S. talent development system

Fig. 3 Structural differentiation of academic fields in U.S. international talent agglomeration

Fig. 4 Funding structure for international students in the U.S.

Fig. 5 Funding sources for international students in the U.S.

Fig. 6 Evolving patterns of international student origins in the U.S.

Fig. 7 Evolution of academic tiers and source-country patterns among international students in the U.S.

Fig. 8 The talent agglomeration chain in the United States

Fig. 9 Pathways for the U.S. to attract global talent

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