Liberia: Three-Quarters of Liberians Consider Emigrating, Afrobarometer Survey Reveals

Monrovia – More than three-quarters of Liberians (77%) have considered emigrating, with employed, educated, and young citizens leading the trend, according to a recent Afrobarometer survey conducted by the Center for Democratic Governance (CDG).

As the world marks International Migrants Day, the survey highlights economic challenges as the primary driver of emigration considerations, with North America, Asia, and Europe emerging as the top destinations.

The survey, conducted from July 30 to August 21, 2024, involved 1,200 adult Liberians across the country, providing insights into the perceptions and motivations underlying the growing emigration trend.

Key Findings

High Emigration Interest: 77% of respondents have considered leaving Liberia, including 51% who have given it “a lot” of thought.

Emigration considerations are highest among Liberians with full-time jobs (89%). The most educated citizens (83%) of those with post-secondary education, young people aged 18-35 (83%) and Urban residents (83%). The survey shows even among unemployed Liberians, 80% have thought about leaving. The most common reason cited for considering emigration is economic, with 40% of respondents seeking better work opportunities.

Preferred Destinations

The survey shows that North America is the most popular destination (52%), followed by Asia (16%) and Europe (14%).

Context and Implications

The findings underscore the persistent economic struggles faced by many Liberians, which are fueling thoughts of emigration, including risky and irregular migration routes, says Elkanah Taylor of the Center for Democratic Governance.

“As the nation grapples with unemployment, limited opportunities, and poor living conditions, these statistics highlight an urgent need for policymakers to address the root causes of economic migration.”

Afrobarometer’s survey results align with global trends that show younger, educated, and urban populations are more likely to seek opportunities abroad.

On International Migrants Day, Taylor says these findings serve as a reminder of the importance of creating pathways for safe and legal migration while addressing economic and social issues at home.

About Afrobarometer

Afrobarometer is a pan-African, non-partisan research network that has been providing reliable data on democracy, governance, and quality of life in Africa since 1999. The latest Round 10 surveys were launched in January 2024. In Liberia, the survey was led by the Center for Democratic Governance (CDG), with a nationally representative sample yielding a margin of error of +/-3 percentage points at a 95% confidence level.

Previous Surveys in Liberia

Afrobarometer has conducted surveys in Liberia in 2008, 2012, 2015, 2018, 2020, and 2022, providing valuable insights into the evolving aspirations and challenges faced by Liberians over time.

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