Unemployment, poverty pushing young Africans toward emigration – Report

African leaders have been called on to work to create thriving economies and jobs

A new Afrobarometer report has revealed a worrying trend involving highly educated youth in some African countries including Ghana where such persons are increasingly moving out of their countries to seek greener pastures in countries they deem more economically prospective.

Contained in an Afro Barometer news release is statistics gathered through a survey conducted in nine African countries that notes ‘the quest for jobs and better economic prospects’ as the major reason for immigration of these young people.

Out of the nine countries - Zimbabwe, Ghana, Benin, Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire, Malawi, Uganda, Mali, and Nigeria - Zimbabwe was reported to have the highest proportion of young potential emigrants.

In view of this, African countries have been urged to take concrete steps to create thriving economies that generate jobs, improve living conditions and make it unnecessary for Africa’s youth to embark on perilous journeys in search of a future.

This comes ahead of the International Youth Day which will be marked on the 12th of August under the theme, ‘Safe Spaces for Youth’.

Read below the full report by Afro Barometer