Sixty percent of African youths want to leave the continent because unchecked corruption threatens their future, according to a poll of more than 5,600 youngsters in 16 countries released Tuesday, September 3.

Corruption is seen as the “single greatest hurdle” they face to achieve their own potential and a better life, said the Johannesburg-based Ichikowitz Family Foundation which commissioned the poll of 5,604 people aged 18 to 24.

The 2024 African Youth Survey, which the foundation says is unparalleled in scope and size, was conducted via face-to-face interviews in January and February in countries ranging from South Africa to Ethiopia.

“Most of all, they don’t believe their governments are doing enough to address this scourge and because of it almost 60% are looking to emigrate in the next five years,” it said.

North America was the top pick for emigration for this age group, followed by Western European countries such as Britain, France, Germany and Spain.

More than half (55 percent) of those polled said Africa was headed in the “wrong direction”, although there was a modest rise to 37 percent in “Afro-optimism” from the 2022 survey.

“They want tougher sanctions against corrupt politicians, including banning them from standing for office. They also want a different form of government,” the foundation said.

Almost one in three believe that non-democratic systems, from the military or one-party rule, could be preferable under certain circumstances.

Although about two-thirds of those interviewed believe in democracy, around 60 percent were in favour of an “African-infused” form.

About 72 percent of youths polled said foreign influence by countries such as China, France and the US was an issue.

“They are concerned about their countries being exploited by foreign companies especially their natural mineral wealth being mined and exported without any further benefit to the people,” said the foundation.

Most youths said a Donald Trump victory in the US presidential elections would be a far worse outcome for Africa than a win by Democratic nominee Kamala Harris.

Africa is home to nearly 420 million youth aged 15-35, one-third of whom are unemployed, the African Development Bank says.