More than three-fourths of Liberians have considered emigrating, with employed, educated, and young citizens leading the trend, according to a recent Afrobarometer survey.
Among potential emigrants, economic challenges emerge as the most common reason for considering leaving the country.
North America, Asia, and Europe rank as the most preferred destinations among potential emigrants.
As the world observes #International Migrants Day (18 December), these findings highlight perceptions underlying citizens’ decisions to leave the country, including through illegal and perilous crossings of the Mediterranean.
Key findings
- More than three-fourths (77%) of respondents say they have considered leaving Liberia, including 51% who say they have given it “a lot” of thought (Figure 1).
- Thoughts of emigrating are most common among Liberians with full-time jobs (89%), the most educated citizens (83% of those with post-secondary education), youth (83% of 18- to 35-year-olds), and urban residents (83%).
- Eight in 10 people who are currently unemployed (80%) say they have thought about leaving Liberia.
- The most common reasons cited for potential emigration are economic, led by finding work opportunities (40% of those who have considered emigrating) (Figure 3).
- The most popular destination among potential emigrants is North America (52%), followed by Asia (16%) and Europe (14%)(Figure 4).
Afrobarometer surveys
Afrobarometer is a pan-African, non-partisan survey research network that provides reliable data on African experiences and evaluations of democracy, governance, and quality of life. Nine survey rounds in up to 42 countries have been completed since 1999. Round 10 were launched in January 2024. Afrobarometer’s national partners conduct face-to-face interviews in the language of the respondent’s choice.
The Afrobarometer team in Liberia, led by the Center for Democratic Governance (CDG), interviewed a nationally representative sample of 1,200 adult citizens between 30 July to 21
August 2024. A sample of this size yields country-level results with a margin of error of +/-3 percentage points at a 95% confidence level. Previous surveys were conducted in Liberia in 2008, 2012, 2015, 2018, 2020, and 2022.
Respondents were asked: How much, if at all, have you considered moving to another country to live?