A fresh batch of emigration data has shown a sharp rise in the number of applicants over the past few years, as South Africans – almost en-masse – continue to seek pastures new.
The past 12 months have seen a flurry of activity for those going to live and work abroad. In a previous article we wrote, emigration specialists Sable told us that they have had a 70% spike in enquiries this year.
Bernhard Smuts is the creator of wheredidwego.com – the website collects survey data from thousands of South African expats who set themselves up overseas. People register their location, the data they moved and the job they currently do. It’s helped to build an informative tapestry of our locals on the move.
Where do most South Africans emigrate to?
- New Zealand
- Australia
- UK
- Canada
- USA
- Netherlands
- Ireland
- Germany
- UAE
- Qatar
For those emigrating from South Africa, New Zealand remains top of the pops. The island at the edge of the world is proving to be a desirable option for our fellow countrymen and women, who see NZ as a great place to raise children and establish a career. Australia isn’t far behind in second, either.
The UK completes the top three, whereas Canada and the USA have seen hundreds of Saffas make the switch across the Atlantic recently. Europe and the Middle East also offer lucrative opportunities to our citizens.
Emigration: What jobs are South Africans doing abroad?
In terms of occupations, hundreds of different ones have been listed on the site. We have a yacht skipper out in Indonesia, a forensic investigator in Ireland and neurophysiologist in Australia. However, the most popular professions – such as software and IT roles – are a little more recognisable.
There has been a big flow of accountants upping-sticks and heading abroad. Meanwhile, teaching opportunities in Europe and South East Asia are prying away some of our best young educators. Engineering professionals and university students make up for a large number of our emigres, too.
Although the data doesn’t reflect every person who has gone to live abroad, it does provide us with a firm database of where people are going and what they want to do. With mass emigration, the threat of a brain drain in South Africa has become a daunting prospect, drenched with inevitability.
