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A November 11, 2022 article published by United-States Forbes shows Guyana recording the world’s highest rate of native-born living abroad. “Out of all sovereign countries with at least 750,000 inhabitants, Caribbean nation Guyana had the biggest share of its native-born population—36.4%—living abroad. Jamaica comes fifth at 28.6%.”
According to the report the list of countries with the biggest share of the native-born population living in the diaspora reveals stories of war and displacement but also of economic stagnation and a lack of perspectives.
“While there are many reasons why someone might leave the place where they were born, small countries are most often affected by the phenomenon as they are inherently at a disadvantage when offering opportunities and chances to move within the country first.”
Guyana continues to have high unemployment and many who graduate from university cannot find jobs consistent with their qualifications, forcing some to migrate. The World Bank (2009) reported Guyana, with 89 per cent of tertiary-educated nationals who migrated, had the highest emigration rate in this category. Other push factors include denial of jobs in the public sector, chain migration, international recruitment of specialised skills like nursing, teachers, among others. People move for better opportunities/upliftment when such are stifled in their home country.
