LIMITED work opportunities and intensified economic hardships are among the highest drivers of immigration in Zimbabwe, a latest report by the Afrobarometer survey has indicated.
The development comes as the country continues to experience high levels of migration and brain drain, with the Zimbabwe 2022 Population and Housing Census report indicating that the primary reason Zimbabweans migrate is the search for economic opportunities.
According to the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (2023), approximately one million of the emigrants counted in the census, a large majority — 84% — left the country in search of employment, while another 5% migrated for education or training.
“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’.
“Those most inclined to live elsewhere include Zimbabweans with post-secondary education (75%), youth (68% of those aged 18-35), and urbanites (65%),” the Afrobarometer report said.
According to the report, Zimbabweans who have considered emigrating are most likely to cite work opportunities as the reason for leaving, followed by economic hardship and poverty.
“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,” the report said.
It further indicated that men were more likely to consider moving abroad, with South Africa remaining the favoured destination for at least 38% among those who would like to emigrate to the neighbouring country.
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At least 23% of the men, according to the report, favour moving to Europe in search of opportunities, while approximately 12% preferred going to North America.
The report further indicated that a large number of the country’s population feels that southern Africans should be able to move freely across borders in order to trade or work in other countries without any difficulties.
However, the report said this remained a pipeline dream with at least two-thirds of the population reporting that crossing borders among the countries in the region was difficult.
“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.
“But two-thirds (67%) of citizens say cross-border movement is ‘difficult’ or ‘very difficult’ with the belief being highest among the 75% highly educated, 72% very poor citizens and 71% unemployed Zimbabweans.”
Meanwhile, national representative data continued to validate the notion that the lack of working opportunities and economic hardships remain key drivers of migration.
The report further indicated that many of the Zimbabweans remaining in the country are also considering leaving for better opportunities outside.
