One in five Kenyans planning to migrate- Study

One in every five Kenyans wants to leave the country over the next five years.

This is according to a new study whose findings reveal high levels of discontentment among young people living in the country.

The findings of the study by research firm Pew Research Centre shows that more than three-quarters of those who planned to leave cited the search for better job and education opportunities as top reasons for the decision.

Countries surveyed

The study sought to find out migration patterns among residents in Kenya, Nigeria and Tunisia.

“In Nigeria, nearly half (45 per cent) of adults say they plan to move to another country within five years, by far the highest share among 12 countries surveyed across four continents,” said the study in part

“Meanwhile, a quarter (24 per cent) of adults in Tunisia say they plan to leave within five years, as do 19 per cent in Kenya.”

Finding a better job and education opportunities ranked highest among Kenyans’ desire to leave at 72 per cent and 77 per cent respectively.

At the same time, 53 per cent said escaping violence was an important reason in informing people’s choice to move while 45 per cent cited the desire to reunite with family members abroad.

About 34 per cent of those who reported plans to move to another country said they had made arrangements to do so, including saving or borrowing money.

On the same issue, more than 27 per cent of Kenyans who planned to migrate revealed they had applied for passports and visas.

The US ranked highest as the chosen country for those who planned to migrate while 25 per cent said they planned to move to another African country.

About 11 per cent said they had set their sights on Europe and the Middle East.

“Those with a high school diploma or higher in Kenya, Nigeria and Tunisia are more likely to say they plan to move abroad,” said the report.

“Among sub-Saharan Africans who have already migrated, about half or more of those living in the US and United Kingdom have at least some college education.”

The study's findings paint a picture of disillusionment among young people on their future prospects, pointing to a resurgence of the 1980s and 1990s brain drain.