51. Migration in the Middle East and North Africa
- Author:
- Michael Robbins
- Publication Date:
- 06-2019
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- Arab Barometer
- Abstract:
- Across the Middle East and North Africa, roughly one-in-three citizens are considering emigrating from their homeland. This level represents a dramatic increase since 2016, which ended a long-term decline in the percentage of citizens who considered migrating. For example, the percentage of Jordanians who want to migrate is 23-points higher than in 2016 while the increase among Moroccans is 17 points during the same period. Smaller but sizable increases have also taken place in other countries like Egypt (+10 points). Citizens are more likely to want to leave if they are young, well educated and male. Youth are the more likely to want to leave, with more than half of those ages 18-29 thinking about migrating in five of 11 countries surveyed. Additionally, in most countries those with a higher level of education are also more disposed to move abroad, raising the specter of brain drain in many countries. The predominate reason some Arab citizens seek to leave their homeland are economic reasons, reflecting a broader frustration of years of economic stagnation. Other commonly cited reasons include corruption, security concerns or to pursue educational opportunities. Notably, older potential migrants are more likely to cite economic factors as the primary reason behind their decision while younger potential migrants are more likely to name corruption, for example. Europe is the most commonly cited destination for potential migrants, especially among those living in the Maghrib countries of Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia. The next most commonly favored destination are Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, particularly among migrants from Egypt, Yemen and Sudan. Meanwhile, Jordanians and Lebanese are especially likely to favor the U.S. or Canada. Although most potential migrants would only leave if they had the required papers, substantial percentages say they would consider migrating illegally, including roughly four-in-ten in six of 11 countries surveyed. Those who would consider migrating illegally are more likely to be young, male, and have lower levels of education, likely reflecting the limited opportunities these citizens perceive for a future in their homeland. These are among the key findings from 11 nationally representative public opinion surveys conducted in across the Middle East and North Africa by the Arab Barometer in September 2018-May 2019. The surveys included more than 27,000 face-to-face interviews in the respondent’s place of residence and each has a margin of error of ±2 percent.
- Topic:
- Migration and Public Opinion
- Political Geography:
- Middle East and North Africa