A significant portion of young Africans are considering leaving their countries due to widespread concerns about corruption, according to a new survey published on Tuesday, 3rd September.
The 2024 African Youth Survey, commissioned by the Johannesburg-based Ichikowitz Family Foundation, highlights a troubling trend among the continent’s youth, with nearly 60% expressing a desire to emigrate.
Corruption: A Major Barrier to Progress
The survey, which polled 5,604 individuals aged 18 to 24 across 16 African nations, found that corruption is seen as the biggest obstacle to progress.
Eighty-three percent of respondents reported being worried about corruption in their countries, while 62% believe their governments are failing to address the issue effectively.
“Youth are increasingly disillusioned with their governments’ ability to rein in corruption,” the survey noted, emphasizing that concerns span various sectors, including national and local governments, businesses, and police forces.
Widespread Desire to Emigrate
The findings revealed that nearly 58% of young Africans are “very likely” or “somewhat likely” to consider emigrating in the next three years. This sentiment is most pronounced among those in countries where corruption is perceived to be rampant and unchecked.
North America emerged as the top preferred destination for those considering emigration, followed by Western Europe, including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Spain.
Calls for Tougher Measures Against Corruption
Many respondents expressed a desire for stricter measures to combat corruption. The foundation noted that there is strong support for tougher sanctions against corrupt politicians, including bans on running for office.
More than half of those surveyed, 55%, believe that Africa is heading in the “wrong direction,” although there was a slight increase to 37% in “Afro-optimism” compared to the 2022 survey.
Foreign Influence: A Double-Edged Sword
In addition to concerns about domestic corruption, 72% of those surveyed worried about the negative effects of foreign influence. Many young Africans feel their countries are being exploited by foreign companies, particularly regarding the extraction of natural resources, which they believe provides little benefit to the local population.
Despite these concerns, the survey showed that 82% of respondents view China’s influence positively, largely due to the massive infrastructure projects under the Belt and Road Initiative. Similarly, 79% expressed positive views of the United States, noting its provision of “important loans and economic support.”
Diverse Opinions on Global Powers
Perceptions of Russian influence varied significantly across the continent. Notably, in Malawi and South Africa, more than half of those with a positive view of Russia cited its provision of grain and fertilizer. However, 30% of respondents viewed Russian influence negatively, attributing this sentiment to the “detrimental impacts on African countries caused by Russia’s engagement in conflicts.”
Africa’s Youth: A Growing Force
Africa is home to nearly 420 million youth aged 15-35, one-third of whom are unemployed, according to the African Development Bank. The continent has the world’s youngest and fastest-growing population, expected to double to more than 830 million by 2050.
As these young Africans look to the future, their growing concerns about corruption, governance, and foreign influence are shaping their views on emigration and the direction in which they want their countries to head.
The findings of the 2024 African Youth Survey provide critical insights into the hopes and fears of a generation that will soon take the reins of the continent’s future.
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