South Africans are most worried about corruption, according to a survey by Ipsos
A new survey published by Ipsos has revealed that one of the biggest worries for South Africans is financial or political corruption. The What Worries the World study surveyed 28 countries and encompassed interviews with people aged 18–64. It found out that South Africa has the most citizens apprehensive about corruption (69%) and crime, unemployment, poverty and education follow closely on the list of concerns.
IZA World of Labor author Friedrich Schneider has looked into the issue of whether corruption promotes emigration. In his article, he writes: “Corruption increases emigration among workers at all education levels by eroding living conditions.”
Schneider adds: “At low levels of corruption, medium- and low-skilled workers leave, but once corruption reaches a certain threshold, this emigration slows. Among highly-skilled and highly-educated workers, however, emigration rises with corruption. The emigration of highly-educated workers, in particular, reduces a country’s growth prospects and can lead to a vicious cycle.”
It is worth noting that the survey published by Ipsos is conducted online and the views captured in it are not conclusive due to the fact South Africa is at the more expensive end of the scale when it comes to data access. In January’s survey, 61% of South Africans were stressed about financial or political corruption and we can see a marked rise in stress around that topic in only two months.
The “Down with corruption” phrase has recently become a slogan for many political parties in the country as South Africa is due to hold its 2019 General Elections in under one month. The upcoming elections on May 8 are perceived as the most critical since South Africa’s transition to democracy in 1994. There is a big political shift that has become noticeable in voter preferences, particularly on a provincial scale. It’s one that can alter the course of the country.
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