Emigration concerns rise but ‘the grass is not always greener on the other side’

A recent study by the Inclusive Society Institute has revealed that the number of South Africans considering emigration remains disturbingly high — although many who have returned say “the grass is not always greener on the other side”.

The study revealed that a significant 8,59% of adult South Africans over the age of 18 are considering emigrating in the near future.

Breaking down the numbers, ISI CEO Daryl Swanepoel said among those with higher qualifications and higher income brackets, we’re looking at around 11% and 11,5%, respectively, wanting to leave the country.

Emigration statistics

Swanepoel said emigration intentions vary across racial demographics.

He said approximately 15% of the white community and 14,5% of the Indian community indicated consideration of emigration, compared to eight percent for the black community and seven percent for the coloured community.

When it comes to preferred destinations, Swanepoel said the United States ranks highest, followed by the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, and Australia.

Age wise, Swanepoel said younger individuals are more inclined to emigrate, with 18 to 24-year-olds showing the highest intention at 14%.

However, this inclination gradually decreases with age, with those aged 50 and older displaying the lowest inclination to emigrate, at around four percent.

Stats SA report

Meanwhile, Stats SA recently published its Migration Profile Report for South Africa, revealing the number of people who have left the country, and those who have returned.

The data shows that, since 2000, around 413 000 South Africans have emigrated to other countries, and in 2022, just under 28 000 made their way back.

The grass isn’t greener on the other side

The saying “the grass is not always greener on the other side” resonates deeply with Sherie Naidoo, a teacher from Pietermaritzburg, who sought a more financially stable future by emigrating to the UK in August 2023.

However, her aspirations were cut short, leading her to return home after just four months abroad.

“It was the hardest journey of my life. Emigrating is not for the faint of heart. We had this idea that it would be easy … but that was far from the truth.”

Naidoo said a significant portion of her earnings were being swallowed up by taxes and exorbitant rent prices.

The decision to return to South Africa in December 2023 was prompted not only by an unfortunate family crisis, but also by the stark realities of the cost of living in the UK.

“It was almost quadrupling in price and there was no way we could see saving towards a house, getting our dogs over, a car and still saving for our visas. It was impossible!” she said.

Reflecting on her experience, Naidoo said she was happy to be back home.

“My husband and I are thrilled to be back! You have to leave your country to realise that the grass is not always greener on the other side and to realise that SA is actually not all that bad,” she admits.

Naidoo encouraged those considering emigration to go ahead and explore but stressed the importance of informed decision-making.

At the age of 41, Sangeetha Pandaram, also from Pietermaritzburg, emigrated to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2006 and worked as an English adviser for the Abu Dhabi Education Council.

Pandaram described the 12 years she spent in the UAE as the most wonderful period of her life.

Financially, she said the move was a significant boon, providing nearly ten times more than what she would have been earning in SA.

As her contract drew to an end in May 2018, Pandaram made the decision to return home.

I realised that I had been in the UAE for 12 years, and that is an entire school cycle, from Grade 1 to Grade 12. I took this as a sign to go back home. SA is our birthplace. I needed the stability of SA.

“That’s why I came back. SA is my home,” she said.

Since her return, Pandaram has pursued her master’s degree, embraced family milestones, and found solace in being back on familiar ground.

She advised her fellow South Africans contemplating a similar journey to take the leap of faith and explore.

“Only with that experience will people be able to appreciate their home country,” she said.