- Three-fourths (76%) of Zimbabweans say Southern Africans should be able to move freely across borders in order to trade or work in other countries (Figure 1).
- But two-thirds (67%) of citizens say cross-border movement is “difficult” or “very difficult” (Figure 2). o This belief is highest among the highly educated (75%), very poor citizens (72%), and unemployed Zimbabweans (71%).
- More than half (58%) of Zimbabweans say they have considered emigrating during the past year, including one-third (34%) who have contemplated it “a lot” (Figure 3). o Men (63%) are more likely than women (53%) to say they have considered moving abroad (Figure 4). o Those most inclined to live elsewhere include Zimbabweans with post-secondary education (75%), youth (68% of those aged 18-35), and urbanites (65%) (Figure 4).
- Zimbabweans who have considered emigrating are most likely to cite work opportunities (58%) as the reason for leaving, followed by economic hardship (23%) and poverty (10%) (Figure 5).
- South Africa is the favoured destination (38%) among those who would like to emigrate, followed by Europe (23%) and North America (12%) (Figure 6).
A large majority of Zimbabweans say Southern Africans should be able to move freely across borders in order to trade or work in other countries, a recent Afrobarometer survey indicates. But two-thirds report that crossing borders is difficult.
More than half of Zimbabweans say they have considered emigrating. Highly educated respondents and youth are especially inclined to move abroad.
The most important driver for those who have thought about leaving is the prospect of work opportunities, followed by the desire to escape economic hardship or poverty.
South Africa is the preferred destination among those who would like to emigrate, followed by Europe and North America.
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