The Angolans most likely to consider leaving the country are predominantly young people between the ages of 18 and 35, with high levels of education (having completed secondary or higher education), living in low poverty conditions, in urban areas, and already employed full-time. A majority of Angolans (57%) say they have considered leaving the country, most often in search of employment and better living conditions, according to a recent survey conducted by Afrobarometer between March 27 and April 19, 2024.
The survey results reveal that emigration is a significant concern for Angolans, mainly driven by economic factors. Most citizens considering emigration are looking for better job opportunities and higher living standards, with young, urban, and educated individuals being the most likely to contemplate leaving. This points to a potential brain drain that could impact the country’s economic and political development.
Among the 57% of Angolans who have considered leaving, at least 37% intend to seek better job opportunities, and 34% aim to escape economic hardship or poverty. The likelihood of considering emigration increases with education level: only 27% of Angolans with no formal education have thought about leaving, compared to 74% of those with secondary education and 72% of university graduates. Young people aged 18–25 (66%) and 26–35 (64%) are significantly more likely to consider emigrating than older age groups.
According to economist Fernandes Wanda, the decline in economic activity has sharply reduced the number of available jobs, pushing people to seek alternatives. “The Economic Hardship Index we’ve been calculating shows that economic distress among youth aged 15–24 rose from 66.8% in Q4 2022 to 81.9% in Q4 2024,” he noted.
The Afrobarometer study also found that the poorest individuals (55%) are slightly less likely to consider emigrating than those in better economic standing (62%), possibly reflecting the reality that emigration often requires initial financial resources. People with full-time or part-time jobs (66%) are more likely to consider leaving than the unemployed (60%) or those outside the labor force (43%).
A stark gap exists between urban and rural areas: in cities, seven out of ten residents say they have at least somewhat considered emigration, while in rural areas, only 34% express such thoughts.
Fernandes Wanda explains that unemployed individuals face more difficulties emigrating through regular channels, indicating that the issue is not solely about job availability but also about the quality of life among the employed. “Someone living in Huíla earning the same salary as someone in Luanda may enjoy a better quality of life. It’s no coincidence that, in the UK, workers in London receive a special allowance due to the higher cost of living there,” he illustrates.
In Luanda Province, for example, nearly eight in ten citizens (78%) say they have considered emigrating, suggesting that higher economic and social expectations in the capital may generate greater frustration and a stronger desire to seek better conditions abroad. In contrast, the southern region (31%) and Huíla Province (33%) — less urbanized areas — show the lowest rates of potential emigrants, likely reflecting lower exposure to migration networks or more modest aspirations regarding emigration.
Portugal Is the Main Destination
Portugal remains the primary destination for Angolan emigrants. Recent data published by Novo Jornal (2024) show that the Angolan community in Portugal more than tripled between 2017 and 2023, growing from 16,854 to 55,589 residents, making it the second-largest foreign community in the country, surpassed only by Brazil.
Overall, Europe (39%) is the top choice among Angolans who have considered leaving, likely due to historical and cultural ties with Portugal as well as perceived economic, educational, and social advantages in European countries. North America (United States and Canada) follows as the second most considered destination (21%).
Source: Expansão
