Half of Africans surveyed have considered emigrating, particularly educated young people, according to a report published on Wednesday, 5 August, by Afrobarometer, which also recorded strong support across the continent for global trade and China’s role in Africa.
Citizens in West Africa (34%), Central Africa (24%), and Southern Africa (23%) are most likely to consider emigrating, with Gambia (53%) and Liberia (51%) recording the highest rates of emigration intent, according to the report titled ‘Beyond Borders: Citizen Perspectives on a Shifting Global Order’. Released in Accra, Ghana, the report draws on nationally representative survey data from 38 African countries.
Migration, driven by economic pressures, conflict, and climate change, has recorded significant increases across several African nations.
By contrast, Togo (from 30% to 23%), São Tomé and Príncipe (from 35% to 31%), and Malawi (from 28% to 25%) were the only countries to record a meaningful decline in the share of citizens who said they had considered emigrating.
According to the report, prospective emigrants are predominantly men between the ages of 18 and 35 with higher levels of education. The desire to emigrate is also more prevalent in urban areas than in rural ones.
The data further show that the proportion of people intending to remain in Africa has fallen by approximately nine percentage points, while the number of respondents preferring to emigrate to other continents has risen. Europe is the top destination of choice (29%), followed by North America (28%).
Nearly half of those surveyed believe that the arrival of foreign workers benefits the host country’s economy. Exceptions are found in countries such as Gabon (74%), South Africa (69%), and the Republic of Congo (63%), where unfavourable views prevail.
‘In Africa, unlike the rest of the world, it is actually the most educated, the most skilled, and the wealthiest who express the strongest resistance to immigrants,’ said Afrobarometer’s Director of Communications, Josephine Sanny, during the report’s presentation.
A majority of respondents support opening economies to international trade and strengthening global ties, although awareness of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) remains limited.
Some 62% of respondents believe governments should facilitate international trade, a majority position in 32 of the countries analysed. Nevertheless, Angola, Gambia, Madagascar, and Mauritania continue to favour more restrictive trade policies.
Additionally, 66% of those surveyed support strengthening global trade relations, with Malawi and Mali the only exceptions.
China retains the most positive influence in Africa, with more than 60% of respondents viewing China’s role on the continent favourably. The United States also continues to be seen in a positive light, though its favourable perception has declined by six percentage points while its negative assessment has risen by seven points.
The European Union ranks as the third most positively viewed power, followed by former colonial powers, India, and Russia. The African Union and regional economic organisations are also broadly viewed favourably.
Regarding international organisations such as the United Nations and the Security Council, 71% of respondents believe their country should have greater influence in decision-making processes, with Angola as the sole exception, according to Josephine Sanny.
‘Increasingly, Africans say that rich and developed countries bear the greatest responsibility for climate action,’ the Director of Communications concluded.
The report examines African citizens’ perceptions of migration, cross-border trade, economic integration, Africa’s role in global governance, and the influence of major world powers on the continent.
Source: Diário Económico
Original article: https://www.diarioeconomico.co.mz/2026/08/06/mundo/africa/afrobarometer-relatorio-revela-aumento-da-intencao-de-emigrar-entre-jovens-africanos/
