"Africans who emigrate are all fleeing poverty to come to Europe": true or false? It's not that simple

African migration to Europe occupies a significant place in the news. One idea often comes up: that Africans who leave are all fleeing poverty and are all coming to Europe. Major studies conducted by the African Union, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) paint a more nuanced reality. Here is what they say, supported by figures and sources.

1. Most Africans do not leave

According to the second Report on Migration in Africa, published by the African Union and the IOM, approximately 40 million Africans were living outside their country of birth in 2020: 20.8 million in another African country and 19.7 million outside the continent. Relative to the continent's 1.4 billion inhabitants, this represents barely 3 out of every 100 Africans.

2. More than half stay in Africa

Migration within the continent accounts for 52% of all African emigration. It mostly takes place between neighboring countries, often for temporary or seasonal work. The largest migration corridor in Africa connects Burkina Faso to Côte d'Ivoire: in 2020, 1.3 million Burkinabè were living with their Ivorian neighbors. The continent also hosts nearly a quarter of the world's refugees. "People want to stay close to home," summarizes an IOM spokesperson.

3. Europe, one destination among others

Outside of Africa, according to the IOM's World Migration Report 2024, Africans in 2020 were living primarily in Europe (11 million), Asia (nearly 5 million), and North America (about 3 million).

4. Those who leave for Europe are not the poorest

In 2019, the UNDP published "Scaling Fences," a survey conducted among 1,970 migrants from 39 African countries who had settled in 13 European countries. All had arrived irregularly, without seeking asylum or protection. The result: 58% were employed (49%) or studying (9%) at the time of their departure, and the majority of those who were working earned a decent salary for their country. They also had at least three more years of schooling than their peers.

5. Leaving for lack of choice

Half of those who were working felt they were not earning enough. But for two out of three people surveyed, their income or their income prospects in their home country would not have kept them there. For UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner, migration is "an echo of development progress in Africa"—progress that is real but unequal and not fast enough to meet the aspirations of young people. The obstacles blocking their future, what the report calls the "lack of choice," weigh heavily on their decision.

6. Danger does not stop them

93% of those surveyed experienced danger during their journey. Yet, only 2% say that better knowledge of the risks would have made them stay. 53% received financial help from their family or friends to pay for the trip.

7. A mission: to support one's family

Once in Europe, 78% of those who earn money send some back home. They send, on average, a third of their monthly income, which is the equivalent of 85% of what they earned in their home country. For many, the journey is intended to be temporary. But the shame of not having fulfilled their "mission" toward their family often prevents them from returning. "What kind of father would I be if I stayed without being able to offer them a decent life?" confides Yerima, one of the migrants interviewed.

Verdict: NOT THAT SIMPLE

Most Africans who emigrate do not come to Europe: more than half stay on the continent. And those who arrive in Europe are often neither the poorest nor the least educated. Some are indeed fleeing poverty, conflict, or disasters, but many leave primarily due to a lack of choice and future, to support their families.

Our perspective

Behind every departure, there is a story, a family, and a plan for the future. Understanding why people leave also means understanding what could allow them to stay. And you, if you had a real future at home, would you still leave?