Mqondisi Dube
According to latest statistics from the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (Zimstats), there were less than one million Zimbabweans, who left the country since 2012 to look for greener pastures or do studies in other nations.
This was revealed in the 2022 national housing and population census conducted by the national statistics agency.
The statistics agency indicates that 908,914 left the country in the last 10 years with South Africa, Botswana and the United Kingdom the preferred destinations. It says South Africa accounted for 773,246, Botswana (74,928), Britain (23,166) and USA (8,565)
Matabeleland South has the highest number of emigrants at 33percent, according to ZIMSTATS.
There were more males (59%) leaving the country compared to females with the younger population (20-24years) seeking new life outside Zimbabwe.
The majority, more than 84%, left Zimbabwe to seek employment opportunities while others left to join their families or to study.
Despite ZIMSTAT’s figures, it is believed between four to five million Zimbabweans live in the diaspora, largely driven by deteriorating economic conditions since 2000.