A recent Afrobarometer Survey report reveals that more than one-third of Africans have considered emigrating, including about half of young adults and highly educated citizens.
In the third of its Pan-Africa Profiles based on recent public-opinion surveys in 34 African countries, Afrobarometer reports that on average, about one in five Africans say they have thought “a lot” about emigrating whikst 3 percent say they are taking concrete steps to leave.
The report also stated that interest in emigration varies widely in five countries more than half he population has given emigration at least “a little thought.”
The new report shows that the most popular destination of emigrants is neither Europe nor North America but another African coubtry, and that potential emigrants are overwhelmingly motivated by a hunger for jobs and economic opportunity.
“But contrary to the notion that migrants are simply a country’s most impoverished citizens, youth and education are far mire strongly correlated with interest in emigration than poverty,” it said.
The report’s detailed analyses by country, region, and demographic group provide useful insights for policy making to address migration; not just in destination countries concerned about their ability to absorb large numbers of immigrants, but also in countries of origin at risk of losing some of their most educated, motivated, and creative young people.
This preference for staying on the continent is especially strong in Southern Africa (58%) and weakest in North Africa (8%).
“Europe (27%) and North America (22%) are the most popular
destinations outside Africa.”