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A recent Afrobarometer survey has revealed a significant rise in the number of Ghanaians considering emigration, with economic improvement cited as the primary motivation. Conducted in August 2024, the survey showed that 61% of respondents expressed a desire to leave the country, a sharp increase from 41% recorded in 2017. This data underscores the growing concerns among Ghanaians about the state of the economy and their pursuit of better opportunities abroad.
The survey highlighted that 44% of respondents had given “a lot” of thought to emigrating, while 17% reported having considered it “somewhat” or “a little bit.” Overall, the proportion of individuals actively considering leaving Ghana has more than doubled since 2017, rising from 20% to 44%. The primary reasons cited for emigration were work opportunities and economic hardship. Additionally, a small percentage of respondents mentioned tourism, better business prospects, and education as their motivations.
Demographic analysis revealed that the youth, educated citizens, and unemployed individuals are the most likely to consider emigration. Among those surveyed, 78% of individuals with post-secondary education and 72% of young people aged 18 to 35 expressed a strong desire to leave the country. Similarly, 68% of unemployed respondents, along with 65% of part-time workers and 63% of full-time workers, indicated their intention to emigrate.
In terms of preferred destinations, North America was the most popular choice, with 55% of respondents expressing interest in relocating there. Europe followed as the second most favored destination, attracting 24% of potential emigrants.
The Ghana survey was conducted by the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development as part of Afrobarometer’s Round 10. This initiative, which aims to provide reliable data on African experiences and evaluations of democracy, governance, and quality of life, involved face-to-face interviews with a nationally representative sample of 2,400 adults.
The findings from this survey highlight a growing sense of discontent among Ghanaians, particularly regarding the economy. The rising desire to emigrate underscores the need for policymakers to address economic challenges and create an environment that retains talent and fosters opportunities for citizens within the country.
