Pnet contributed to the recent Decoding Global Talent survey, which showed interesting mobility trends comparing global and regional preferences, views, and expectations regarding working abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Globally, young professionals (up to 30 years old) are the most mobile, with 73% willing to move abroad for work, compared to the average of 63%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
South Africa has a much higher mobility rate than the global average, with 79.5% of South African respondents stating that they’d be willing to move and work abroad. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This number shoots to 84% when considering young South Africans. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
44% of young South African respondents also stated that they are actively looking for work abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Naturally, young South Africans are likely to be more adaptable than older professionals and have fewer strings attached,” said Pnet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
“At this stage of their lives, they are less likely to have a family to support or home-owner bond and other such expenses to pay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“In addition, young South Africans are facing high unemployment rates.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although South Africa’s official unemployment rate stands at 32.9%, the current youth (15 to 34 years) unemployment rate is far worse at 45.5%<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are 5.9 million young South Africans currently working, compared to 4.9 million. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Combined with the thirst to explore something new, it\u2019s understandable that young South Africans are more open to work opportunities outside the country.” <\/p>\n\n\n
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<\/a>Young South Africans said that their own career growth was the most important reason for working abroad. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
59% of respondents said that “general career considerations” would make them consider working abroad. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition, 57% of young South Africans said that better educational or training opportunities are a reason to take up a job outside South Africa. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Young South Africans are thus clearly focused on building their career and expertise. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the other hand, over 60% of South Africans above the age of 30 years selected \u201cFinancial and economic reasons\u201d as well as a \u201cConcrete job offer\u201d as the top reasons to work abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thus, when looking at the motivating factors of South Africans above the age of 30, it becomes clear that securing a lucrative income is most important to the older generations when pondering leaving South Africa. <\/p>\n\n\n
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<\/a>Notably, there is no major difference between the youth and South African respondents older than 30 years when asked how long they intend to work abroad<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Over 50% of South African respondents said that they’d consider working abroad over the medium- to long term. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Between 13% and 15% only want to work abroad over the short term (for a maximum of three years.) <\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Comparing the South African youth to the youth globally, there is a slight difference indicating that South Africans are more open to work and move abroad permanently,” said Pnet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“However, 68% of young South Africans do intend to come back to their home country after working abroad.” <\/p>\n\n\n
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