Japa: A new poll indicates that 60% of African youth attribute their migration to corruption.

Based in Johannesburg, the Ichikowitz Family Foundation commissioned a survey of 5,604 individuals between the ages of 18 and 24. They stated that they view corruption as the “single greatest hurdle” standing in their way of realising their own potential and leading better lives.

The 2024 African Youth Survey was carried out through in-person interviews in January and February in nations ranging from South Africa to Ethiopia. The foundation claims that the survey’s scope and size are unmatched.

Nearly 60% of them plan to move in the next five years, primarily because they don’t think their governments are doing enough to combat this problem.

For this age group, the most popular destination for emigration was North America, which was followed by Western European nations including Britain, France, Germany, and Spain.

The majority of respondents (55%) believed that Africa was going in the “wrong direction,” notwithstanding a slight increase in “Afro-optimism” to 37% from the 2022 survey.

They demand harsher penalties for dishonest politicians, such as a prohibition on their ability to run for office. They also desire an alternative system of governance, according to the foundation.

Nearly one in three people think that in some situations, one-party or military regimes that lack democratic principles might be better than democratic ones.

While around two-thirds of those surveyed support democracy, about 60% preferred a system that is “infused with African culture.”

Approximately 72% of young people surveyed felt that foreign influence from nations like the US, France, and China was a problem.

The foundation expressed their concern that foreign firms are taking advantage of their countries, particularly with regard to the natural mineral riches that is being mined and exported without providing any further benefits to the populace.

The majority of young people believed that a win by Democratic candidate Kamala Harris in the US presidential election would be significantly better for Africa than a victory by Donald Trump.

According to the African Development Bank, of the approximately 420 million youngsters in Africa between the ages of 15 and 35, one-third are unemployed.