Abstract:Innovative talents are the core driving force for promoting regional innovation and development. Based on panel data from 31 provinces in mainland China from 2011 to 2021, a grey correlation analysis model was constructed to examine the impact of macro environmental factors on the flow of innovative talents. The results indicate that a good level of economic development and income can significantly promote the flow of innovative talents between provinces. In the context of sample allocation, the impact of macro environmental factors on the flow of innovative talents has spatial heterogeneity. The flow of innovative talents in the central and western regions is greatly influenced by the level of economic development, while the flow of innovative talents in the eastern regions is greatly influenced by income levels. Compared to the eastern region, the proportion of tertiary industry output in the central and western regions has a significant impact on the flow of innovative talents. R&D funding plays a more important role in promoting the flow of innovative talents in the central region. The proportion of the output value of the secondary industry and the educational environment have a weak impact on the flow of innovative talents. Based on this, suggestions are proposed to further implement the strategy of western development and central rise, improve the income level of innovative talents, accelerate the adjustment and optimization of industrial structure, continue to play the role of R&D funds in promoting the flow of scientific and technological talents, and create a good educational environment, providing reference and reference for the formulation of urban and regional talent policies and regional development policies.