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Due to harsh economic conditions largely because of load shedding, poor governance, and crime, over half a million South Africans now call first-world countries home – which are the United Kingdom (UK), Australia, and Canada.
Although South Africa’s natural beauty and cultural richness are highly valued, citizens are faced with economic, security, and political uncertainties, resulting in difficult decisions to pursue a better future elsewhere.
One of the main factors that has hamstrung the South African economy is load shedding. Businesses in all sectors have had to spend billions on backup power utilities. Still, this has not been enough to mitigate the years of operational disruptions – which have caused low economic growth and, therefore, higher unemployment.
Elevated levels of load-shedding so far in 2023 could cost the South African economy R1.6 trillion in lost economic activity – R400 billion more than last year, said Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa.
Additionally, in a report published in July, the UNDP warned that South Africa’s high unemployment rate, particularly among its youth, is a “ticking time bomb” that could result in social unrest.
Service delivery has also deteriorated in South Africa to the point where basic essential services – such as water, electricity, and roads – are collapsing.
However, one such service that is a vital consideration for many families is policing and safety, which has also taken a turn for the worse in recent years.
According to the latest crime stats – published by the South African Police Service (SAPS) – 6,228 cases of violent crimes were reported between April and June 2023 alone.
The states further showed that an alarming 68 murders occurred in South Africa every day over the period, while the killing of women and children increased by 4.7% and 20.6%, respectively.
This has prompted many skilled South Africans to leave the country to find a more stable economy, better job prospects, and a safer environment to raise a family.
Number of South Africans that have made the move
According to the latest official immigrant consensus reports for the UK, Australia, and Canada, 551,520 South Africans now call these countries home.
The UK accounts for a lion’s share of these South African emigrants, with 298,000 South African-born citizens living in the country.
According to the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs’ 2020 International Migrant Stock report, 247,300 South African emigrants where living in the UK – meaning the amount of South Africans that have moved to the UK has increased by a substantial 26% or 50,700 since 2020.
South Africa is the 8th biggest feeder country for emigrants in the UK, accounting for 3.1% of all foreign-born citizens in the UK.
According to the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford, while 40% of foreign-born emigrants move to the UK for work (27%) and study (17%), 46% of them move for family – meaning they’ve left their home countries for a better life.
Following the UK is Australia, with 201,930 South African-born people living in the country. “This makes the South African-born population the seventh largest migrant community in Australia, equivalent to 2.7% of Australia’s overseas-born population and 0.8% of Australia’s total population,” said the Australian Department of Home Affairs.
In 2020, 199,700 South Africans were estimated to be living in Australia, meaning this number has increased by roughly 1.1% or 2,230.
Australia is an incredibly popular destination for South African expats, who are drawn to the country for its similar climate and culture as a Commonwealth nation (former, in South Africa’s case).
Canada then follows in third with 51,590 South African-born people living in the country. This has increased by 7.2% or 3,490 since 2020.
According to Canadian immigration consultant Nicholas Avramis, since January 2023, his offices have received around 17,000 enquiries from South Africans looking to move.
He noted that many South Africans pointed to load shedding and political instability as reasons for their enquiries; however, a large portion of these has stemmed from the uncertainty surrounding the proposed changes under the recently passed NHI bill.
“There’s a lot of anxiety and mistrust among healthcare workers regarding the NHI – and doctors, who are the tip of the spear in medicine, and nurses, who are the backbone, are professionals who work hard and want to get paid well for their services,” said Avramis.
“And in this competitive global market, if there’s the ability for them to migrate to a better-paying market, they will do that,” he said.
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