Nearly half of Africans have considered leaving their home countries in search of better opportunities, with unemployment and poverty emerging as the leading drivers of migration, according to the Afrobarometer African Insights 2026 report.
The report, titled Beyond Borders: Citizen Perspectives on a Shifting Global Order, found that 45 per cent of Africans have contemplated emigrating at some point, while one in four respondents said they have seriously considered relocating abroad.
Drawing on Afrobarometer’s Round 10 surveys conducted across 38 African countries between 2024 and 2025, the report paints a picture of growing economic pressures that are reshaping migration aspirations across the continent.
Economic hardship driving migration
According to the findings, employment remains the dominant motivation for Africans considering migration.
Half of all prospective migrants cited the search for better job opportunities as the primary reason for wanting to relocate, while 29 per cent said they hoped to escape poverty and improve their living conditions.
The report notes that migration aspirations have risen by approximately 40 per cent compared with surveys conducted between 2016 and 2018, reflecting mounting economic challenges facing many households.
Young people and individuals with higher levels of education were found to be the most likely to consider emigrating, suggesting that even educated Africans are struggling to find suitable employment opportunities at home.
Growing preference for destinations outside Africa
The study also points to a significant shift in preferred migration destinations.
While previous Afrobarometer surveys showed many Africans favoured relocating within the continent, the latest findings indicate an increasing preference for destinations beyond Africa.
The proportion of respondents who would choose another African country as their preferred destination has fallen from 36 per cent in earlier surveys to 26 per cent, indicating that more people now associate opportunities for employment and improved living standards with countries outside the continent.
Strong backing for regional mobility
Despite growing interest in emigration, the report found continued public support for regional integration and the free movement of people across Africa.
A majority of respondents—56 per cent—said they support easier cross-border movement within the continent, reflecting broad endorsement of initiatives aimed at strengthening regional cooperation and mobility.
However, respondents also acknowledged that travelling between African countries remains difficult in practice.
Nearly two-thirds, representing 63 per cent of those surveyed, said administrative procedures, legal requirements and logistical challenges continue to make cross-border travel within Africa cumbersome.
Public divided on immigration
The report found that Africans generally hold welcoming attitudes towards immigrants at a personal level.
About 77 per cent of respondents said they would be comfortable living next to immigrants or would welcome them as neighbours.
However, opinions became more cautious when immigration was linked to employment and economic opportunities.
Respondents were evenly split on whether immigration benefits or harms national economies, while 64 per cent said they would prefer their countries to admit fewer—or no—foreign job seekers.
Similarly, 70 per cent expressed support for reducing the number of refugees admitted into their countries.
Call for stronger economic opportunities
According to Afrobarometer, the findings highlight the need for governments to address the underlying economic conditions driving migration, particularly youth unemployment, poverty and limited opportunities for decent work.
The report notes that although initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) are advancing regional integration, sustainable progress will depend on creating jobs, expanding economic opportunities and improving living standards.
It concludes that retaining Africa’s skilled and educated workforce will require policies that generate employment, stimulate inclusive economic growth and strengthen regional cooperation while balancing public concerns over immigration and labour market pressures.
