- More than half (56%) of Nigerians say they have considered leaving Nigeria, a 20- percentage-point increase compared to 2017 (36%) (Figure 1). The share who say they have given “a lot” of thought to the idea has tripled, from 11% to 33%. o Thoughts of emigrating are particularly common among the most educated citizens (71% of those with post-secondary qualifications), urban residents (63%), and youth (60% of 18- to 35-year-olds) (Figure 2). o Two-thirds (66%) of citizens who are unemployed and looking for work say they have thought about leaving Nigeria, while many full-time (58%) and part-time workers (56%) have also considered emigration.
- The most common reasons cited for potential emigration are finding work opportunities (42%) and escaping economic hardship or poverty (39%) (Figure 3). ▪ The most popular destinations among potential emigrants are North America (38%) and Europe (28%) (Figure 4).
A majority of Nigerians have considered leaving the country, usually in search of better economic opportunities, according to the latest Afrobarometer survey.
The proportion of citizens who have given emigration “a lot” of thought has tripled since 2017. The most common reasons among potential emigrants are the search for work opportunities and the wish to overcome economic hardship.
Highly educated, unemployed, urban, and young citizens are most likely to consider emigration. Their most popular destinations are North America, Europe, and the Middle East.
As the world observes International Migrants Day, Nigeria and other African countries contend with “brain drain,” high-risk irregular migration, and other emigration-related challenges.