58% of Zimbabweans consider emigrating, Afrobarometer finds

More than half of Zimbabweans have considered emigrating, with economic pressures and the search for better job opportunities emerging as the dominant drivers, according to a new Afrobarometer survey.

The survey, conducted by the Mass Public Opinion Institute (MPOI) among 1 200 adults in June 2024, found that 58 percent of Zimbabweans had considered moving to another country, including 34 percent who had thought about it "a lot".

Afrobarometer said: "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'."

The desire to leave was strongest among young people, urban residents and the highly educated. "Those most inclined to live elsewhere include Zimbabweans with post‑secondary education (75%), youth (68% of those aged 18‑35), and urbanites (65%)," the survey found.

Economic pressures dominated the motivations. "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%)," Afrobarometer said.

South Africa was the preferred destination, attracting 38 percent of potential emigrants, followed by Europe (23 percent) and North America (12 percent).

Despite the strong appetite for emigration, Zimbabweans also expressed support for greater regional movement. About 76 percent said Southern Africans should be allowed to move freely across borders to trade or work, although 67 percent said crossing international borders was difficult or very difficult.

The findings highlight a striking contradiction: Zimbabweans want fewer barriers to regional movement while many are simultaneously considering leaving the country in search of better economic opportunities.

Men were more likely than women to consider emigrating - 63 percent compared with 53 percent - while urban residents recorded 65 percent, compared with 53 percent among rural residents.

Afrobarometer said the results underline the importance of addressing the economic conditions pushing citizens, particularly young and highly educated Zimbabweans, to look beyond the country's borders.

The Round 10 survey carried a margin of error of ±3 percentage points at a 95 percent confidence level.

This discussion feeds into wider national debates around migration trends and youth economic prospects.