Job search and economic hardship are among the main motivations, while North America, Europe and other African countries are the preferred destinations.
Nearly half of Africans have considered emigrating, a proportion up sharply compared to data recorded in 2016/2018, according to the results of a study conducted by Afrobarometer in 24 African countries.
According to Afrobarometer data from 2016/2018, nearly 50% of Africans are inclined to emigrate. But although the desire to migrate has increased in many countries, Tanzania stands out as the only country where emigration intentions have declined. North America and Europe remain the most popular destinations, although a significant proportion of potential migrants would prefer to move within the African continent.
The survey results reveal that the main reasons for emigration are the search for employment and the escape from economic difficulties.
Key points of the study
On average, across the 24 African countries surveyed in 2024, nearly half (47%) of respondents say they have considered living in another country, including 27% who have seriously considered it.
Emigration intentions are particularly widespread in Liberia (78%), Gambia (68%), Cape Verde (64%) and Ghana (61%). On the other hand, very few Tanzanians (9%) show an interest in leaving the country.
On average, in the 22 countries that have been surveyed regularly since 2016/2018, the share of citizens who have thought “at least a little” about emigration has increased by 9 percentage points. The largest increases are observed in Liberia (+28 points), Mauritius (+27 points), Nigeria (+21 points), Ghana (+20 points), Cameroon (+15 points), in Namibia (+12 points), Gambia (+12 points) and Zimbabwe (+11 points).
Tanzania is the only country where the proportion of citizens who have considered emigration has decreased (-5 points).
The most popular destinations for potential migrants are North America (31%) and Europe (29%).
However, almost a quarter of respondents (22%) would prefer to migrate to another country within the region or elsewhere in Africa.
According to the report released by the APO group on behalf of Afrobarometer, among those who have considered emigration, almost half (49%) cite looking for a job as the main reason, while 29% are motivated by the desire to escape economic hardship or poverty.
Afrobarometer is an independent pan-African research network that provides reliable data on Africans’ experiences and assessments of democracy, governance and quality of life. Nine waves of surveys have been conducted in up to 42 countries since 1999. Wave 10 of the surveys was launched in January 2024.
Afrobarometer national partners conduct face-to-face interviews in the language chosen by respondents, with samples of 1,200 to 2,400 adults, providing national results with margins of error of +/ – 2 to +/- 3 percentage points at a 95% confidence level.
GIK/lb/Sf/ac/APA
