Most Africans oppose immigrant employment refugees
A majority of Africans oppose the employment of immigrants and the admission of refugees, according to a new report by Afrobarometer, a pan-African, nonpartisan research network. The report is based on nearly 51,000 interviews conducted across 38 countries in 2024/25.
The survey indicates roughly two-thirds of Africans think their governments ought to limit or stop allowing foreign workers and asylum seekers. This attitude is especially pronounced in South Africa, where restrictive opinions on immigration are common.
Anti-Immigrant Sentiment in South Africa
The study was released after a surge of anti-immigrant feelings in South Africa earlier this year, especially aimed at undocumented migrants. The hostility has at times become violent and has put pressure on Pretoria’s ties with nations like Ghana and Nigeria.
Nigeria’s legislative body halted official trips to South Africa and instructed its members to avoid parliamentary events hosted there. In July, the African Union’s executive council declined a proposal from Ghana to discuss attacks on African migrants in South Africa at the October summit.
Attitudes Towards Immigration
Across Africa, most respondents said they would be comfortable having neighbours of another ethnicity (87 %), faith (84 %), political affiliation (81 %) or nationality (77 %). Acceptance of refugees was lower, with only 69 % expressing tolerance.
Approximately 64 % think their governments ought to reduce or ban foreign job applicants, and 70 % share the same view regarding refugees. A mere 15 % support increasing the intake of foreign workers.
The study also shows that only 45% of Africans believe immigrants make a positive contribution to their economies, while 44% see a negative contribution. Views vary widely across countries, with the citizens of Ivory Coast (69%), São Tomé and Príncipe (68%), Cabo Verde (65%), and Benin (64%) seeing a positive economic impact from foreign nationals.
West Africa is the only region where a majority (55%) of citizens say immigrants are good for their country’s economy, versus 47% in East Africa, just 39% in Southern Africa, 36% in Central Africa, and 23% in North Africa.
Economic Impact of Immigrants
A recent migration data release indicated that migrants in South Africa produced household earnings of R433 billion during the 2022/23 fiscal year, mainly from wages, highlighting the sizable economic input of foreign residents.
Nonmigrant households recorded a total income of R2.486 trillion. Since 2021/2023, tolerance toward immigrants as well as people of a different ethnicity and religion, supporters of different political parties and homosexuals has declined by 2-3 percentage points, reaching their lowest levels of the past decade, Afrobarometer says.
