By Collins Sarkodieh 
Recent data from Gallup reveals that approximately 67% of young people in Ghana would migrate to another country if given the opportunity. This staggering figure, collected between 2021 and 2023, underscores a deep-seated desire among the youth to seek greener pastures due to economic pressures and a perceived lack of local career progression.
It is important to distinguish that these figures represent migration intentions rather than actual departures. While the “desire” to leave is at an all-time high, the actual “ability” to leave is often constrained by visa regulations, high travel costs, and family ties. However, the data serves as a loud wake-up call for policymakers, as it highlights a significant “brain drain” threat that could deprive the Ghanaian economy of its most energetic and educated workforce over the next decade.
Why do 67% of young Ghanaians want to leave the country?
The primary drivers behind the desire to migrate are a combination of high youth unemployment, stagnant wages, and the rising cost of living. Young Ghanaians are increasingly feeling that their academic qualifications do not translate into a comfortable lifestyle within the domestic economy.
The psychological impact of seeing peers succeed abroad often shared via social media creates a “fear of missing out” on global standards of living. When the cost of basic items like housing and transport rises faster than entry-level salaries, the logic of staying becomes harder to justify. This isn’t just about “disliking” home; it is a calculated response to a globalized labor market where Ghanaian talent feels undervalued locally but sees high demand in sectors like healthcare, tech, and construction in Europe and North America.
Also Read: The “Enterprise” of Governance: Why Stephen Amoah Claims NPP and NDC Cannot Transform Ghana
Is the migration intent figure reflective of actual departures?
No, the 67% figure reflects “intent” or the “wish” to move, which is significantly higher than the number of people who actually pack their bags. Actual migration is a filtered process where only a small percentage of those who wish to leave eventually secure the necessary legal and financial means to do so.
The gap between wanting to leave and actually leaving is where the government has an opportunity to intervene. Many young people would prefer to stay if the local “return on investment” for their hard work improved. However, the fact that two out of three young people are even thinking about leaving suggests a crisis of confidence in the long-term direction of the national economy. It creates a “transient mindset” where youth focus more on saving for a visa than investing in local entrepreneurship.
What are the main economic concerns driving this trend?
The core concerns are centered on job security and the purchasing power of the Ghanaian Cedi. With inflation fluctuations affecting everything from “Kenkey” to high-end electronics, young professionals find it difficult to save for the future or achieve traditional milestones like homeownership.
Logic suggests that if a nurse in Accra earns a fraction of what a nurse in London or Berlin earns, the pull factor of the latter will always be strong. Furthermore, the lack of a robust “24-hour economy” infrastructure in previous years limited the number of shifts and roles available for those willing to work extra hours. While recent policy shifts aim to address this, the “Gallup data” reflects years of accumulated frustration where the youth felt the economy was working against them rather than for them.
How does “Brain Drain” impact Ghana’s future development?
Brain drain creates a critical shortage of skilled professionals in essential sectors, particularly in medicine, engineering, and education. When the “best and brightest” leave, the remaining workforce faces higher pressure, which can lead to a further decline in the quality of public services.
There is a slight irony in the fact that Ghana invests heavily in subsidized education only for other nations to reap the productivity of those graduates. While remittances from the diaspora provide a vital lifeline to the economy, they are often a “consumption-based” benefit rather than a “production-based” one. A country cannot build a high-tech future if its software engineers are all building startups in Estonia or Canada. The logical solution is to create “innovation hubs” locally that match the excitement and rewards found overseas.
Factual Insights on Youth Migration and the Ghanaian Economy:
- Gallup Survey Period: The data was collected between 2021 and 2023, a period marked by significant global and local economic shifts.
- Youth Demographic: Ghana has one of the youngest populations in the world, with a median age of approximately 21 years.
- Remittance Value: Diaspora remittances to Ghana often exceed $4 billion annually, representing a significant portion of the country’s foreign exchange.
- Unemployment Rate: Official youth unemployment figures have historically hovered in the double digits, though underemployment is considered much higher.
- Visa Demand: The demand for study and work visas at the UK, US, and Canadian embassies in Accra reached record highs in late 2024.
- Education Investment: Ghana spends a substantial percentage of its GDP on education compared to its regional peers, emphasizing the loss when graduates leave.
- Brain Gain Potential: “Returnee” Ghanaians from the diaspora are increasingly bringing back capital and global expertise to start local businesses.
Can the “24-Hour Economy” policy reduce migration intent?
The “24-Hour Economy” strategy is designed to create more jobs by encouraging businesses to operate through multiple shifts, potentially doubling or tripling the demand for labor. If successful, this would provide the “opportunities” that 67% of youth say they are currently lacking at home.
The logic is simple: if you give a young person a well-paying job with a career path and a safe environment, the “pull” of the cold winters in London or the high rents in New York becomes less attractive. A 24-hour cycle allows for more flexibility and higher earning potential, which directly addresses the “economic conditions” cited in the Gallup report. However, for this to work, it must be supported by reliable electricity (no Dumsor) and safe night-time transportation.
What role does social media play in the “Japa” phenomenon?
Social media acts as a “magnifying glass” for life abroad, often showing the highlights of migration without the struggles of isolation, taxes, or racism. This creates a skewed perception among Ghanaian youth that life outside is an easy “shortcut” to success.
We see “day in the life” videos of Ghanaians in the US or Italy that focus on the shiny cars and the foreign currency, but rarely on the two or three jobs they might be working to sustain that lifestyle. This “perception vs. reality” gap contributes to the high intent figures. Logic dictates that a balanced conversation is needed one that highlights that while there are opportunities abroad, there is also a significant cost, both emotional and financial, to leaving one’s roots behind.
What should the government do to retain its young talent?
The government must focus on “structural incentives,” such as tax breaks for youth-led startups, affordable housing schemes for young professionals, and a drastic reduction in the “red tape” required to start a business.
It is a “market competition” for talent. If Canada is offering easy pathways for tech workers, Ghana must offer something equally compelling, like a “Silicon Accra” with high-speed internet and reliable power. The youth aren’t necessarily “unpatriotic”; they are “opportunity-seekers.” By turning the focus from “preventing migration” to “creating attraction,” the state can naturally lower the 67% figure. The logic is to make the “staying option” more profitable and less stressful than the “leaving option.”
Is there a “Brain Gain” happening alongside the “Brain Drain”?
Yes, a counter-trend known as “Brain Gain” is emerging where members of the diaspora are returning to Ghana to launch tech firms, boutique hotels, and modern agricultural projects. These returnees often find that their global experience gives them a competitive edge in the local market.
This “circular migration” is actually a healthy part of a global economy. The challenge is ensuring that the number of people coming back or investing from afar balances out the number of people leaving. If the 67% who want to leave eventually return with more skills and capital, the long-term impact on Ghana could be positive. However, in the short term, the loss of “on-the-ground” labor is a pain point that the healthcare and education sectors feel every single day.
Also Read: Empowering Africa’s Youth: Building a Brighter Future Without Leaving Home