59% Ghanaians would not migrate abroad if given the chance – Survey

The research titled 'Updata-Ing' The Narrative about African Migration” showed the main findings of Afrobarometer research and the latest facts and figures of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation report "Africa’s youth: jobs or migration?"

The survey asked respondents whether they would go to live in another country if they had the means and opportunity.

Among the total respondents, 59% answered NO, 21% answered MAYBE and 20% said YES.

3 out of 10 Ghanaians say they are currently making preparations to move, preparations including the acquisition of a visa.

One common misconception is that migrants are simply a country’s most impoverished citizens. In fact, youth and education are far more strongly linked to interest in emigration than poverty.

On average, more than half (51%) of all Afrobarometer respondents with post-secondary educational qualifications say they have thought about emigrating, including one in four (24%) who have considered it “a lot”.

Similarly, almost half (47%) of the youngest respondents (aged 18-25 years) report having considered leaving – double or triple the proportions in cohorts above age 45.

Below is the full report.