A new Afrobarometer survey shows that nearly 70% of Gambians have considered leaving the country, with a significant increase in those who have seriously contemplated emigration.

The survey highlights that economic challenges, such as poverty and limited job opportunities, are the primary factors prompting this shift.

Since 2018, the number of Gambians thinking about emigration has surged, with those who have given “a lot” of thought to leaving nearly doubling in the past six years.

“Young adults, part-time workers, the unemployed, and individuals with higher education are the groups most likely to express a desire to emigrate, with North America and Europe identified as the top destinations,” the survey reads. 

These findings emerge around International Migrants Day, observed on December 18, at a time when The Gambia and other African countries grapple with “brain drain” and irregular migration.

“While many Gambians are seeking opportunities abroad, remittances from the diaspora remain a vital source of support for the national economy,” adds.

Afrobarometer, a Pan-African survey network, conducted the study with a nationally representative sample of 1,200 adult Gambians. The results underscore the growing economic struggles facing citizens and their increasing inclination to seek better prospects outside The Gambia.

By Adama Makasuba