Globally, more people want to leave their countries than a decade ago. This is according to the latest data from Gallup’s global migration study. South Africa is one of the top 10 emigration hotspots in Sub-Saharan Africa with the biggest increase in people who want to emigrate.
Desire to relocate at a record level
Gallup’s data shows that the desire to emigrate is currently at an unprecedented level. It remains higher than it was a decade ago.
This trend is evident in almost every part of the world. It is seen in traditionally migrant-sending regions like sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America, and also in migrant-receiving regions like the US and Canada.
The 2023 data is based on interviews with nearly 146 000 adults in 142 countries and areas.
Sub-Saharan Africa is one of the regions with the biggest increases in people wanting to emigrate. South Africa is among the top 10 emigration hotspots in the region.
Top 10 sub-Saharan African countries
The top 10 countries in sub-Saharan Africa with the biggest percentage increase between 2021/2022 and 2023 in terms of people who wish to emigrate are as follows:
| Country | Increase: 2021/2022 to 2023 |
| Zambia | 13% |
| Mauritius | 10% |
| Senegal | 9% |
| Ethiopia | 9% |
| Ghana | 7% |
| Kenya | 6% |
| Malawi | 5% |
| South Africa | 5% |
| Mauritania | 4% |
| Liberia | 3% |
Although these are the countries with the highest increase, the top 10 list looks slightly different when considering the top 10 countries with the highest percentage of people who want to migrate. Only two countries are on both these lists – Liberia and Ghana.
The top 10 countries in sub-Saharan Africa with the highest percentages are:
- Liberia: 76%
- Sierra Leone: 75%
- Ghana: 65%
- Congo: 54%
- Nigeria: 51%
- The Gambia: 50%
- Comoros: 48%
- Eswatini: 45%
- Togo: 45%
- Guinea: 44%
So, although South Africa has seen an increase in people who want to leave the country, the overall percentage is lower than many other African countries.
It is important to note that this data relates to people who have the desire to emigrate and not those who are in the process of relocating.
If you had the opportunity, would you move to another country, or would you prefer to stay in South Africa?
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