Afrobarometer report shows half of Africans considering emigration cite job search as main reason
Afrobarometer’s African Insights 2026 report finds 45% of Africans have considered emigrating, with 25% saying they have thought about leaving 'a lot.' Among those considering emigration, half (50%) say they would go in search of work, while 29% cite escaping poverty or economic hardship. Across 31 countries with comparable data, the share considering emigration 'a lot' rose from 18% in 2016/2018 to 25% in 2024/2025—a 40% increase.
For Nigerians, the trend mirrors local pressures: Nairametrics reported in August 2026 that 45.3% of households experienced a job loss, business closure, or inability to find work in the previous 12 months, according to SBM Intelligence. The same report noted that 79.1% of respondents would consider relocating from their current geopolitical zone for a good job, underscoring how employment opportunities drive both internal and external migration.
Europe and North America remain the top destinations for potential African emigrants (32% and 28% respectively), while the desire to leave is strongest among young and educated citizens—32% of those aged 18–35 and 31% with post‑secondary education have considered leaving 'a lot.' With Europe’s ageing population creating demand for workers, legal pathways may grow. Would you pursue skill development for overseas opportunities, seek local jobs offering relocation packages, or explore remote work for foreign employers?