Nearly 60 percent of African youth want to emigrate because of corruption
According to a new survey of youth in 16 African nations, nearly 60 percent of them want to leave their countries because of unchecked corruption.
The 2024 African Youth Survey, based on interviews with 5,604 young individuals from 16 countries between the ages of 18 and 24, is the third iteration of the biennial study targeting African young people.
According to the Johannesburg-based Ichikowitz Family Foundation, Africa's youth have recovered from the impacts of COVID-19, but are dissatisfied with the direction their respective governments are heading.
It also reveals that Africa's young people are not afraid to voice their opinions and believe that corruption is the biggest threat to their future.
"This body of data is starting to become very valuable because it shows us a trend that is very positive," the founder and director of the foundation, Ivor Ichikowitz, told RFI.
"Most people look at Africa as a hopeless case, but the truth is that it's not, and African youth, who are the next generation of leaders, see the continent as having huge opportunities - they're very optimistic about the future of the continent."
However, they have recognised that there are several significant challenges and issues to address.
Fighting corruption
Corruption has consistently ranked among the top three issues identified by this demographic as obstacles to the continent's growth and development, hindering this generation's pursuit of prosperity, Ichikowitz said.
However, this year, it has surpassed job creation, which has traditionally been the foremost concern.
Read more on RFI English
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