Job Search Drives Half of Africans Weighing Emigration, Afrobarometer Says
Pan-African · ECONOMY
Key Facts
- —What happened Afrobarometer’s 2026 “Beyond Borders” report found 45 percent of Africans have considered emigrating, including 25 percent who have thought about it a lot.
- —Why it matters Half of potential emigrants cite searching for work as their main reason, and 29 percent cite escaping poverty or economic hardship.
- —The shift Interest in moving within Africa fell to 26 percent from 36 percent in 2016 and 2018, while North America at 31 percent and Europe at 29 percent now lead as destinations.
- —Who it hits Youth and educated Africans are most likely to consider leaving, reflecting unemployment, low wages and limited opportunities at home.
Nearly half of Africans have considered emigration, and the search for work is the single biggest driver, according to Afrobarometer’s 2026 “Beyond Borders” report. The findings point to a widening gap between job creation at home and the pull of richer labour markets abroad.
Half of Africans who consider emigrating say finding work is their main reason, according to Afrobarometer’s 2026 “Beyond Borders” report. The survey found 45 percent of Africans have thought about leaving their country, including 25 percent who have considered it a lot.
What the Afrobarometer data shows
The report paints a clear picture of economic pressure shaping migration intent across the continent. Among potential emigrants, 50 percent cite searching for work as the primary motivation.
Another 29 percent say they want to escape poverty or economic hardship. The figures come from Afrobarometer, a pan-African research network that surveys public attitudes on democracy, governance and the economy.
The 2026 findings echo an earlier Afrobarometer release from 2024. That survey of 24 countries found 47 percent of respondents had considered emigration, with 49 percent naming work as the main reason.
The shift away from intra-African mobility
One of the report’s most striking findings is the weakening pull of moving within Africa. Interest in relocating to another African country fell to 26 percent, down from 36 percent in 2016 and 2018.
North America and Europe have overtaken the continent as preferred destinations. North America now attracts 31 percent of potential emigrants, while Europe draws 29 percent.
That reversal matters for African governments and regional bodies that have pushed free movement and continental integration. It suggests that even as policy frameworks expand, economic reality is steering people toward richer labour markets outside Africa.
Who is most likely to leave
Youth and educated Africans are the most likely to consider emigration. The report links this to unemployment, low wages and limited opportunities at home.
That profile means the continent risks losing some of its most productive workers. For governments, the data is a warning about the cost of failing to create enough formal jobs.
The findings also carry a gender and skills dimension. Young people with education are often the first to respond to wage gaps between local and foreign labour markets.
The political economy of outward migration
The data suggests a stronger outward gaze toward North America and Europe, where wages, visas and remittances shape migration flows. External powers compete for influence through migration policy, trade, finance and development ties.
For African governments, the pressure is to create jobs at home while managing the social costs of departure. Remittances from emigrants can support households, but they do not replace domestic employment.
The report fits a broader pattern covered in Africa: The New Scramble. As external actors deepen their engagement, migration policy becomes part of the wider contest for influence on the continent.
What this means for West Africa
West African countries face the same pressures highlighted in the Afrobarometer data. Young populations, uneven job growth and currency constraints make emigration an attractive option for many.
The shift away from intra-African movement is especially relevant in a region with a long history of labour mobility. If fewer people look to neighbouring countries, regional economic communities may struggle to retain talent.
Governments in the region will need to watch remittance flows and labour shortages closely. The report offers no simple fix, but it makes the economic stakes impossible to ignore.
What to watch next
Afrobarometer’s findings are likely to feed into policy debates on youth employment and migration governance. The 2026 report provides a benchmark for measuring whether job creation efforts change attitudes over time.
Future survey rounds will show whether the pull of North America and Europe continues to grow. For now, the message is clear: work, not just crisis, is driving Africans to look outward.
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage of Africans have considered emigrating?
Afrobarometer’s 2026 “Beyond Borders” report found 45 percent of Africans have considered emigrating, including 25 percent who have thought about it a lot.
Why do Africans consider leaving their countries?
Half of potential emigrants cite searching for work as their main reason, and 29 percent cite escaping poverty or economic hardship.
Where do Africans prefer to move now?
North America at 31 percent and Europe at 29 percent are the leading destinations, while interest in moving within Africa fell to 26 percent from 36 percent in 2016 and 2018.
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