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

Migration has become a staple of the news in many countries, however 59 percent of Ghanaians prefer to stay in the country even when given an opportunity to emigrate, Afrobarometer report reveals.

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.