80 Percent of Jamaican Youth Want to Migrate
A survey by Respect Jamaica and the local office of UNICEF conducted between February 29 and March 3, 2016 has revealed that the large majority of young people in Jamaica are desirous migrating.
Based on findings from the survey 75 per cent of those between 14 and 19 years old would leave for better opportunities, 83 per cent of young Jamaicans between the ages of 20 and 25 would also go, while 81 per cent of those between 26 and 40 would seek out greener pastures overseas.
A lack of employment and educational opportunities were among the reasons cited by some of those who participated in the survey.
A 2015 survey commissioned by the Gleaner found that more than four out of every 10 Jamaicans harbour a burning desire to leave the island.
In that poll, 43 per cent of Jamaicans said that either they or persons in their immediate families hoped to migrate to another country within the next five years.
A 2014 survey conducted by the Centre for Leadership and Governance in the Department of Government at the University of the West Indies, Mona, found that 49.3 per cent of young adults said they would give up their citizenship and live in another country, citing the need for better opportunities.
Close to 100,00 Jamaicans migrated to the US, Canada and the UK between the years 2010 and 2013.
Source: The Gleaner
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