61% of Ghanaians have considered emigrating from the country, according to a recent Afrobarometer Round 10 survey. This figure rises to 78% for those with post-secondary education and 72% for youth aged 18 to 35. This widespread sentiment underscores growing concerns about economic opportunities within Ghana.
The main reasons cited for considering emigration are finding work opportunities, accounting for 55% of responses, and escaping economic hardship, at 33%. These motivations highlight the pressing economic challenges many Ghanaians face. Preferred destinations for potential emigrants are North America, at 55%, and Europe, at 24%.
This trend fits into a broader narrative of rising material deprivation in Ghana, as reported by CDD-Ghana in 2024. International migration has increased by 45% over the past two decades, reaching 281 million globally in 2020. While many West African migrants move within the region, Ghanaian aspirations increasingly target the Global North for better economic prospects. Ghana currently hosts 471,000 immigrants, mainly from neighbouring countries, but nearly half of the 1 million Ghanaians abroad reside within ECOWAS nations.
The Afrobarometer survey, conducted in August 2024, gathered responses from a nationally representative sample of 2,400 adult Ghanaians. The Ghana Center for Democratic Development led the local effort. Afrobarometer is a pan-African, non-partisan survey research network. Their findings provide reliable data on African experiences with democracy, governance, and quality of life. The survey results have a margin of error of +/-2 percentage points at a 95% confidence level.
This strong desire to emigrate has significant implications for Ghana's economy and human capital. The country already loses between 400 and 500 nurses monthly to emigration, exacerbating healthcare staffing shortages, according to the International Council of Nurses 2024 report. This 'brain drain' further strains public services and reduces the pool of skilled labour necessary for national development. Decision-makers must address the underlying economic issues driving this trend. Policies aimed at job creation and improving living standards could mitigate the outward flow of talent. Continued monitoring of these migration aspirations will be crucial for Ghana's future economic stability.
While 56% of Ghanaians support free movement within West Africa for trade and work, 71% believe the government should reduce or eliminate foreign job seekers. This conflicting view highlights public concern over domestic job availability. For those who remain in Ghana, remittances play a vital role, contributing GHS 4.6 billion in 2022. This amount is three times Ghana’s official development assistance.