The 2023 Gallup World Poll has revealed that 75% of Sierra Leone’s adult population desires to migrate permanently, placing the country among those with the highest migration aspirations globally.

Neighboring Liberia also reported a high desire to emigrate, with 76% of its population expressing similar intentions.

“With people on the move globally at unprecedented levels, Gallup’s latest global migration data show people’s desire to leave their country remains higher than it was a decade ago.”

According to Gallup, the United States and Canada are the two top destinations for migrants including Sierra Leoneans.

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The poll highlights a growing migration crisis in Sierra Leone, fueled by widespread unemployment, limited access to quality healthcare, and inadequate educational opportunities.

While remittances from Sierra Leoneans abroad provide crucial financial support and contribute significantly to the national economy, the potential loss of skilled professionals and young workers poses a serious threat to key sectors like healthcare, education, and entrepreneurship.

Experts warn that without significant improvements in economic conditions, Sierra Leone risks a substantial brain drain. They emphasize the urgent need for government prioritization of job creation, investment in education, and infrastructure development to create opportunities at home and mitigate the factors driving emigration.

The high migration desire presents a complex challenge for Sierra Leone’s leaders. Without effective policy interventions to address the root causes of emigration, the country faces the risk of a continued exodus of its most productive citizens, potentially exacerbating existing economic and social challenges.