A significant majority of young Africans are looking to leave their home countries, driven by a deep-seated frustration with corruption.
This revelation comes from a newly released African Youth Survey, which highlights the discontent among youth across 16 African nations.
The survey, published on Tuesday by the Johannesburg-based Ichikowitz Family Foundation, paints a troubling picture of the continent’s future as nearly 60 percent of respondents expressed a desire to emigrate.
The survey, which gathered data from 5,604 individuals aged 18 to 24, found that corruption is seen as the primary barrier to progress.
Eighty-three percent of the youth surveyed expressed serious concern over the levels of corruption within their countries, and a significant 62 percent believe that their governments are failing to effectively address the issue.
These findings reflect a growing disillusionment with local leadership, as young Africans see little hope for change under the current systems.
Corruption Concerns Dominate Discussion
Conducted through face-to-face interviews in January and February, the poll revealed that nearly 58 percent of young people are “very likely” or “somewhat likely” to consider emigrating within the next three years.
The widespread concern about corruption spans various sectors, including national and local governments, businesses, and police forces.
According to the survey, there is a strong desire among the youth for stricter penalties against corrupt politicians, with many advocating for barring them from running for office altogether.
Interestingly, despite the overwhelming dissatisfaction, there is a glimmer of hope as “Afro-optimism” saw a modest rise to 37 percent from the 2022 survey. Yet, more than half of those polled, 55 percent, believe that Africa is heading in the “wrong direction.”
This sense of pessimism is further evidenced by the fact that young Africans are increasingly looking abroad for better opportunities, with North America and Western Europe — particularly the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Spain — emerging as the top destinations.
In addition to their domestic concerns, 72 percent of respondents also expressed worry about the detrimental effects of foreign influence on their countries.
There is a particular fear of exploitation by foreign companies, especially regarding the extraction and export of natural mineral wealth without adequate benefits to the local populace.
Positive Views on Foreign Powers
Despite these concerns, young Africans still hold positive views about certain foreign powers. A striking 82 percent of respondents viewed China’s influence favorably, particularly in light of the massive infrastructure projects under China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
Similarly, 79 percent had a positive perception of the United States, with many acknowledging the importance of U.S. loans and economic support.
However, opinions are more divided when it comes to Russia. While perceptions of Russian influence have grown, especially in Malawi and South Africa, more than half of those with a favorable view cited Russia’s provision of grain and fertilizer as a key factor.
On the other hand, 30 percent of youth view Russia’s influence negatively, largely due to its involvement in conflicts that have had detrimental impacts on African nations.
Africa, home to nearly 420 million young people aged 15-35, continues to grapple with high unemployment rates, with one-third of this demographic currently out of work.
As the continent’s population is projected to double by 2050, the challenges facing Africa’s youth are likely to intensify, making their concerns and aspirations increasingly urgent.
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