Findings of the Afrobarometer survey have revealed that least four in 10 Ghanaians have considered emigrating. However, only a few have taken steps to leave.

The study reveals that most of the potential emigrants are in search of more favourable economic prospects in a more suitable land.

According to the report, a majority of the people prefer to live outside Africa, with North America and Europe being the most preferred destinations.

The data is released as the world expresses outrage over reports of slavery and the inhuman treatment meted out to migrants in Libya.

Footage released by CNN from Libya showed hundreds of young men from sub-Saharan Africa being auctioned as farm workers.

The North African country has for years been the gateway for Africans who are trying to get to Europe by sea.

Migration experts have estimated that more than 150,000 people have crossed it within the last three years.

But the crisis has created a situation where some African migrants are reportedly sold by their raiders in open slave markets.

Key findings of the survey are that:

Four in 10 Ghanaians (41%) say they have considered emigrating, including 20% who say they have given “a lot” of thought to the idea.

About three in 10 (29%) say they or someone in their household has gone to live in another country for more than three months during the past three years.

The report said a few (8%) of those who want to emigrate say they are taking concrete steps to emigrate, such as seeking a visa; 28% say they plan to leave within the next year or two but are not yet making concrete preparations, while 63% say they have considered emigrating but have not made specific plans yet.

Among those who have considered emigrating, a majority (53%) would want to move to find work. Others want to escape economic hardship (19%) or find better business prospects (8%). 

Among potential emigrants, the most popular destinations are North America (39%), while 31% prefer living in Europe. Only 11% would want to live in other African countries